What Is 19th ministry of British Columbia

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 19th Ministry of British Columbia was led by Premier Christy Clark from March 14, 2011, to July 18, 2017, following the resignation of Gordon Campbell. It was formed under the BC Liberal Party and governed through the 39th and 40th sessions of the Legislative Assembly. The ministry ended after Clark lost a confidence vote following a minority government scenario.

Key Facts

Christy Clark became Premier on March 14, 2011, succeeding Gordon Campbell
The ministry governed during the 39th and 40th Legislative Assembly sessions
Clark’s government lost a confidence vote on June 29, 2017
The ministry ended on July 18, 2017, after a coalition agreement with the NDP
BC Liberals won 45 seats in the 2013 election under Clark’s leadership

Overview

The 19th Ministry of British Columbia refers to the executive government led by Premier Christy Clark, which governed the province from March 14, 2011, to July 18, 2017. It succeeded the 18th Ministry under Gordon Campbell, who resigned amid declining public approval and controversy over the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

Clark’s leadership marked a shift toward centrist policies and economic development, particularly in natural resources and LNG infrastructure. Her tenure included two general elections, one of which resulted in a minority parliament, ultimately leading to the fall of her government.

Christy Clark assumed office on March 14, 2011, after winning the BC Liberal leadership race, becoming the second female Premier in BC history.
The ministry began following Gordon Campbell’s resignation, prompted by a 20% approval rating and backlash over the implementation of the HST.
Clark led the BC Liberals to victory in the 2013 provincial election, winning 45 of 85 seats and securing a majority government.
The government prioritized economic growth, promoting LNG development and signing trade agreements with Asian markets to boost exports.
The ministry ended when the NDP and Green Party formed a confidence-and-supply agreement, toppling Clark’s minority government in June 2017.

How It Works

The 19th Ministry functioned under the Westminster parliamentary system, where the Premier leads the executive council and sets policy direction. Cabinet ministers were appointed by Clark and overseen legislative portfolios ranging from health to transportation.

Term: The 19th Ministry lasted from March 14, 2011, to July 18, 2017, spanning just over six years. It operated under both majority and minority parliamentary conditions.
Cabinet Appointments: Clark reshuffled her cabinet multiple times, appointing 25 different ministers across 15+ portfolios during her tenure.
Legislative Agenda: Key initiatives included the Jobs Plan, HST repeal referendum, and expansion of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to replace the HST.
2013 Election: The BC Liberals won 45 seats, allowing Clark to form a majority government despite receiving only 49% of the popular vote.
Minority Government: After the 2017 election, the Liberals won 43 seats, two short of a majority, leading to a hung parliament.
Coalition Dynamics: The NDP secured support from the Green Party, which held 3 seats, enabling them to defeat the government on a confidence vote.

Comparison at a Glance

The 19th Ministry can be compared with adjacent ministries in terms of duration, electoral performance, and policy focus:

Ministry	Years Active	Party	Seats Won (Election)	Key Policy Focus
18th	2001–2011	BC Liberal	48 (2009)	HST implementation, infrastructure
19th	2011–2017	BC Liberal	45 (2013)	LNG development, jobs growth
20th	2017–2022	BC NDP	41 (2017)	Pharmacare, housing affordability
21st	2022–present	BC NDP	47 (2020)	Climate action, mental health
17th	1991–2001	BC NDP	51 (1996)	Debt reduction, social spending

This comparison highlights how the 19th Ministry stood out for its focus on economic expansion amid political volatility. While it achieved short-term electoral success, internal party divisions and shifting voter priorities contributed to its downfall.

Why It Matters

The 19th Ministry remains significant for reshaping BC’s economic strategy and demonstrating the fragility of minority governments in a multi-party system. Its legacy includes both infrastructure investments and political realignment.

Clark’s push for LNG development attracted $36 billion in proposed investments, though few projects materialized during her term.
The 2013 referendum on HST repeal was reversed under her leadership, restoring the PST and addressing public discontent.
Her government passed the Transparent Budgeting Act in 2013, requiring balanced budgets and public consultation on deficits.
The rise of the Green Party to 3 seats in 2017 altered parliamentary dynamics, enabling a non-Liberal coalition for the first time since 1952.
Clark’s tenure saw women hold 7 of 18 cabinet positions at its peak, reflecting progress in gender representation.
The ministry’s collapse underscored the growing influence of smaller parties in BC’s traditionally two-party dominant system.

The 19th Ministry exemplifies how leadership transitions and economic promises can yield short-term gains but face long-term challenges in maintaining public trust and legislative stability.