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Clark shakes up cabinet

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark has rearranged her cabinet, moving one of her most respected ministers from education to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Peter Fassbender led the government through a bitter labour dispute involving unionized public school teachers last year before a settlement was reached with the B.C. Teachers' Federation.

Fassbender has also been given the responsibility for TransLink, Metro Vancouver's transportation network that has been a political hot button since the Liberal government restructured its governance model eight years ago.

In a plebiscite vote announced July 2, Metro Vancouver voters rejected TransLink's multibillion-dollar plan to improve the area's transportation system.

Mike Bernier, who has been a parliamentary secretary for the environment minister, is B.C.'s new education minister.

Coralee Oaks, who had been in charge of the community sport ministry, is now minister of small business and is responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch.

Naomi Yamamoto, who was minister of state for tourism and small business, is now minister of state for emergency preparedness under the Transportation Ministry.

Clark wasn't available for an interview, but said in a news release that the changes are about making sure British Columbians in every region benefit from the government's plan to create jobs by growing a strong and diverse economy.

"We have the opportunity now to build on a record of student achievement with long-term labour peace in place, to strengthen our support for small business, which is the backbone of our economy," Clark said.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said Yamamoto was the jobs minister.



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