West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre has increased responsibilities to look forward to following a cabinet shuffle Premier Gordon Campbell called a "mild review and renewal." Now the Minister of Intergovernmental Relations, McIntyre will be dealing with some sensitive issues, including Canada-U.S. border relations and the increasingly unpopular carbon tax.Campbell realigned the provincial cabinet Monday (June 23) to include five new ministers, and shuffled seven of the current ministers' portfolios.McIntyre said in an interview Tuesday (June 24) the workload won't mean less local representation."I think I've worked very hard in the last three years to meet people in the communities and get out to events as much as I can, and I really feel it's been a very rewarding part of the job. I may not quite be in the corridor as much, but I think I have a good grounding in the issues and, at least hopefully, my constituents will know that I understand, I've heard them, and can carry their voice to Victoria."Undaunted by the amount of work it will take to master her new role, McIntyre said she is "very, very delighted." "I was particularly delighted about the file, because I think it's such a good fit," she said.Among her new duties, McIntyre is tasked with helping to build relationships with neighbouring jurisdictions, including Washington State and Alberta, and with taking on the title of Climate Action Secretariat. "I think there will be a big overlap there because so much of that has to do with dealing with other jurisdictions," said McIntyre."There are a lot of jurisdictions that are very interested in knowing what we're doing on implementing the revenue neutral - and I want to emphasize that - revenue neutral carbon tax." The tax has become increasingly unpopular in the wake of soaring gas prices, giving opposition parties such the B.C. Conservatives newfound life.The provincial NDP has also garnered support with its "axe the tax" campaign."British Columbians want real climate action, not this tax," NDP leader Carole James said in a campaign speech Monday (June 23). "Gordon Campbell's gas tax hits ordinary consumers while he continues to give huge subsidies to the largest polluters."If the Premier was serious about climate change, he would implement a cap-and-trade system that reduces emissions at the source, expand transit and roll back fares, and provide families with more options to reduce their emissions."Instead, he is increasing gas prices at a time when families' budgets are stretched and oil companies are making record profits."McIntyre is already familiar with the tax's backlash, and has a quick response to criticism. "Nobody's talking about the other half of that equation is the tax cuts, not even to mention the climate action dividend but there's actual tax cuts," she said. "There's personal tax cuts, small business cuts and corporate that all came into effect that completely balances off the carbon taxes that go forward." Another duty McIntyre said she looks forward to is helping deal with what is being call the "thickening of the border." Last week the province announced Campbell and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire will co-lead a mission to Ottawa and Washington D.C. to present a new joint border action plan, signed Friday (June 20) at the third annual B.C.-Washington Joint Cabinet Meeting. The plan calls for both federal governments to work with B.C. and Washington State to streamline cross-border travel and trade to avert mounting border line-ups as the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games approach."...it's really important for us in the corridor because we rely so heavily on tourism and we don't want people even the simple things of coming across the border from the Pacific Northwest up to Whistler and Squamish. We really want to make sure that the borders, of course, remain secure, but at the same time open for both travel and trade."McIntyre said she has a lot to be brought up to speed on, but is approaching the new challenges with zeal."Having only been on the job for a few hours, I know there's a lot more to wrap my mind around. I'm just very pleased about the confidence he [Premier Campbell] is placing in me..."
