Bill Bennett is named Minister for Tourism

As expected, BC Premier Gordon Campbell announced a cabinet shuffle in his government on Monday and East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett will be part of his team going forward. In a ceremony at Government House in Victoria Bennett was sworn in as the new Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Arts with his predecessor Stan Hagen staying on as the Minister for Agriculture and Lands.

Mary Polak, MLA for Langley, will be taking on the portfolio for sports that was previously included in the tourism ministry. She will also be looking after healthy living.

"It's going to be good for the riding and it's going to be good for the region," Bennett comments on his new position in the BC government. He says he found out about his new role on Friday. Bennett believes with his vast experience in the tourism industry, he has something to bring to the table and he is please that the Premier obviously saw it the same way.ism industry when I was 18," Bennett remembers, "I worked in the kitchen my first summer." Later, he became a fishing guide, managed a fishing lodge in Ontario and finally ran his own place in Northern Manitoba. Altogether, Bennett says, he has over 22 years of experience in the industry. "There aren't many jobs in the tourism industry that I haven't done," he states.

Bennett admits he is very much looking forward to his new job of promoting British Columbia to the world. "This province is probably the most beautiful place on the face of the earth," he thinks and adds the Olympics will give BC a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase what we have here.

His ministry's job will be, Bennett points out, to make sure the benefits of the 2010 Winter Games will be felt across the province, not just in the host communities of Vancouver and Whistler.

Also in Bennett's portfolio will be forest service recreation sites, Trails BC and one of the issues that have been dear to his heart for a long time - off-road vehicle management.

"What we need is a management regime in the Province," Bennett explains. Right now, he says users are asked to register their snowmobile and some do while some do not. What he is working towards is a system that requires people to be part of a management plan, whether it is through a licence or by using decals, that can be recognized by RCMP and conservation officers.

This, Bennett hopes, will help hold the irresponsible riders accountable for their actions. "For the 95 percent who ride responsibly, there won't be any impact on them," he promises.

Another controversial file will also be on Bennett's desk from now on. The Convention Centre in Vancouver has been criticized largely because it has been costing BC taxpayers more than originally thought.

Bennett emphasizes, however, that what we will end up with is an attractive facility that has already seen dozens of bookings for conventions before and after the Olympics. Rather than ending up with worthless assets like in the case of the Fast Ferries, Bennett believes this centre will generate jobs and economic activity for the entire province.

Bennett knows this new position will have an impact on his everyday life as well. "I'll be busier and I'll be away a little more," he believes. "No matter what your job is in cabinet," he adds, "the amount of time you spend on it is largely up to the individual." Bennett says he has adopted a full-time approach when he was Minister of State for Mining and he intends to do so again this time.

Bennett also thinks the position as minister will give him even easier access to other members of government to help him address concerns of his constituency. "I've always managed to be fairly aggressive when it comes to getting face time with the ministers and the Premier," he admits.