Premier David Eby shuffles cabinet after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey's cancer diagnosis

B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey leaves the chamber of the legislature in Victoria, on Monday, May 25, 2026. Photo by Chad Hipolito /POSTMEDIA

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Premier David Eby announced a mini cabinet shuffle on Friday, a day after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey announced she was diagnosed with early-stage cancer.

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Replacing Bailey in finance will be Health Minister Josie Osborne, who will be replaced by Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon, one of Eby’s most-trusted lieutenants.

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Bailey will remain in cabinet but take on the portfolio of Jobs and Economic Development while she undergoes cancer treatment. She said in a LinkedIn post she hopes to return to work for the legislative session in October. Energy Minister Adrian Dix will fill in for her in the meantime.

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The NDP MLA for Vancouver-South Granville, Bailey has been in charge of the powerful Finance Ministry since November 2024, with Eby handing her the portfolio following the last provincial election and the retirement of Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy.

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Over the past two years, the NDP government has faced mounting concerns over its budget, finishing $7.7 billion in the red in 2025-26 and projected to run a $13.3 billion deficit in 2026-27.

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Bailey has overseen the province’s efforts to rein in spending, including a review of B.C.’s health authorities and the “repacing” of seven long-term care facilities and Phase 2 of the redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital, which meant the cancellation of construction contracts already underway.

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This week, the minister touted the reduction of last year’s deficit from the original projection of $10.9 billion to $7.7 billion, mainly through the $2.6 billion the province is receiving from a settlement with tobacco companies.

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At the same time, the government faces increased costs due to a mediated agreement with the B.C. General Employees’ Union that will give government workers a salary increase of three per cent per year for each of the next four years.

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The agreement, when spread out to all other public sector workers through the shared mandate, means salary costs for public sector employees could increase by around $16 billion over the next four years.

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Bailey is the third member of Eby’s caucus to experience health issues. Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Grace Lore was shuffled out of Children and Family Development shortly after the 2024 election due to a cancer diagnosis. Lore has since returned to the legislature.

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In spring, Vancouver-Strathcona MLA Joan Phillip was hospitalized and her health has reportedly improved.

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Aside from NDP members, Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman, husband to new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, was diagnosed with cancer in 2025, while Kootenay-Rockies MLA Pete Davis is recovering from a stroke.

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