By Joe Johnson (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: September 19, 2012
Out with the old, in with the new is an accurate description of the governing BC Liberal party. Given recent announcements from several Liberal MLAs that they will no be seeking re-election in May 2013, it was no surprise Premier Christy Clark announced a reshuffled cabinet on September 5.
In a notable change of ministry positions, and one that has a significant impact on post-secondary students, John Yap has been named the new Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology. Former Advanced Education Minister Naomi Yamamoto has been tasked as the Minister of State for Small Business.
Residents of the Fraser Valley may not be entirely familiar with Minister Yap; he comes from the Liberal-friendly riding of Richmond-Steveston and has held office for over seven years. In that time Yap has held the title of Minister of State for Climate Action, and currently holds the title of Minister of State for Multiculturalism.
He was born in Singapore but moved to BC with his parents during his teens. As a graduate from UBC with a Bachelor of Business Administration, his past private sector work has included financial advising.
But now Yap has a new challenge in grappling the issues of advanced education. These include—but are not limited to—core funding for post-secondary institutions, student loans and tuition rates.
This change-up comes at a time when UFV is struggling with running at 105 per cent capacity.
University presidents from across the province have begun to publicly voice their financial concerns, the province has seen the rise of the first ever student-led lobby group “Where’s The Funding?” and interest rates on student loans in BC are the highest in Canada at 2.5 per cent above prime.
The next provincial election is just under eight months away, and Premier Clark has recently announced that there will not be a fall sitting of the legislature. Instead, the government will resume in February, leaving very little room between that point and the when the writ drops and campaigning begins.
The verdict on our advanced education system in BC remains to be seen. At least for now it’s Minister Yap’s job to see that the system move along the correct course.
