What Is 21st ministry of British Columbia

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 21st Ministry of British Columbia refers to the provincial government led by Premier Christy Clark from June 10, 2013, to July 18, 2017. It was formed after the BC Liberal Party won a majority in the 2013 provincial election.

Key Facts

The 21st Ministry began on June 10, 2013, following Christy Clark's reappointment as Premier.
It ended on July 18, 2017, after a confidence vote brought down the government.
Christy Clark led the BC Liberal Party during this period with a majority government until 2017.
The ministry oversaw major infrastructure projects including the Port Mann Bridge and Site C Dam.
It faced controversy over ethics, including the 'McBride MoU' and allegations of improper conduct.

Overview

The 21st Ministry of British Columbia was the executive council of the provincial government from June 10, 2013, to July 18, 2017. It was led by Premier Christy Clark, who returned to power after the BC Liberal Party won a majority in the 2013 provincial election.

This administration was notable for its focus on economic development, energy policy, and infrastructure expansion. Despite initial stability, the ministry faced mounting political challenges leading up to the 2017 election and eventual loss of confidence in the legislature.

Term start date: The 21st Ministry officially began on June 10, 2013, when Christy Clark was sworn in after winning the leadership race and subsequent general election.
Majority government: The BC Liberals secured 49 out of 85 seats in the 2013 election, allowing Clark to form a strong majority government.
Key policy focus: The ministry prioritized job creation, LNG development, and transportation infrastructure, including the expansion of Highway 1.
Controversies: Allegations of conflict of interest arose due to the McBride Memorandum of Understanding, which benefited a company linked to a minister.
End of term: The ministry concluded on July 18, 2017, after a confidence vote failed, leading to John Horgan becoming Premier.

How It Works

The structure of a provincial ministry in British Columbia follows the Westminster parliamentary model, where the Premier appoints cabinet ministers to oversee government operations.

Term: The 21st Ministry lasted from June 10, 2013, to July 18, 2017, spanning four years and 40 days. It operated under a majority government until 2017, then a minority following the election.
Cabinet appointments: Christy Clark appointed 21 ministers to key portfolios, including Finance, Health, and Energy, to implement her government’s agenda.
Legislative process: The ministry introduced 139 bills during its term, with 92 passing into law, including controversial changes to environmental regulations.
Budget priorities: Annual budgets emphasized infrastructure, with over $8 billion allocated to transportation projects between 2013 and 2017.
Public engagement: The government launched online consultations for major projects like Site C, though critics argued they were not genuinely inclusive.
Accountability mechanisms: The Office of the Ombudsperson issued three critical reports during the ministry’s term, highlighting transparency issues in government operations.

Comparison at a Glance

The 21st Ministry can be compared to adjacent administrations in terms of duration, policies, and electoral outcomes.

Ministry	Duration	Party in Power	Seats Held	Key Initiative
19th Ministry	2001–2011	BC Liberal	77 (peak)	Harmonized Sales Tax
20th Ministry	2011–2013	BC Liberal	55	Gateway Program completion
21st Ministry	2013–2017	BC Liberal	49	Site C Dam construction
22nd Ministry	2017–2020	BC NDP (minority)	41 (with Green support)	End of HST, child care expansion
23rd Ministry	2020–present	BC NDP	57	Climate Action Plan

The 21st Ministry stands out for maintaining pro-business policies while facing increasing public skepticism over ethics and environmental impacts. Unlike the 19th Ministry’s long tenure, it lasted only one full term before losing confidence, reflecting shifting voter priorities.

Why It Matters

The 21st Ministry shaped British Columbia’s economic trajectory and set precedents for resource development and political accountability.

Energy policy: The ministry approved the Site C Dam, a $16 billion hydroelectric project expected to power 450,000 homes by 2025.
Transportation upgrades: Over $3 billion was invested in the Port Mann/Highway 1 expansion, reducing commute times by up to 20% in the Lower Mainland.
Political legacy: Christy Clark became the second female Premier of BC, but her tenure ended in a rare non-confidence defeat.
Public trust: Ethics scandals contributed to a drop in public approval, with her government’s support falling to 33% by 2017.
Environmental impact: The LNG development push raised concerns about carbon emissions, with projections showing a 15% increase in industrial emissions by 2030.
Legal challenges: The government faced 12 court cases during its term, including disputes over Indigenous consultation and environmental assessments.

The 21st Ministry remains a pivotal chapter in BC’s political history, illustrating the challenges of balancing economic growth with transparency and sustainability.