What Is 30th ministry of British Columbia

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 30th Ministry of British Columbia refers to the provincial government led by Premier Christy Clark from June 10, 2013, to July 18, 2017, following the 2013 provincial election. It was formed by the BC Liberal Party and marked Clark’s second term in office after a minority government period.

Key Facts

The 30th Ministry began on June 10, 2013, after the BC Liberal Party won the 2013 provincial election.
Premier Christy Clark led the ministry, serving as both Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations.
The BC Liberals won 49 seats in the 85-seat Legislative Assembly during the 2013 election.
The ministry ended on July 18, 2017, following a confidence vote loss and subsequent NDP–Green alliance agreement.
Key legislation included the Carbon Tax Act expansion and the approval of the Pacific Northwest LNG project.

Overview

The 30th Ministry of British Columbia was the executive council formed after the 2013 provincial election, marking the continuation of BC Liberal governance under Premier Christy Clark. It represented the 30th official administration since British Columbia joined Canadian Confederation in 1871.

This ministry governed during a pivotal time for BC’s economy and environmental policy, overseeing significant developments in energy, transportation, and Indigenous relations. Despite initial stability, it ended in political uncertainty following a tied election in 2017.

Christy Clark became Premier in 2011 after winning the BC Liberal leadership race, but the 30th Ministry began only after her party secured re-election in 2013.
The cabinet included 18 ministers at its peak, overseeing portfolios ranging from Health to Transportation and Infrastructure.
The ministry operated with a majority government from 2013 to 2017, giving the BC Liberals strong legislative control until the next election.
Key initiatives included the Gateway Program, a $4.5 billion investment in Lower Mainland transportation upgrades, including the new Port Mann Bridge.
The government also advanced natural resource projects, such as the LNG development strategy, aiming to position BC as a global liquefied natural gas exporter.

How It Works

The 30th Ministry functioned under the Westminster parliamentary system, with the Premier and cabinet accountable to the Legislative Assembly. It operated through policy development, legislative proposals, and executive decision-making across provincial departments.

Term: The 30th Ministry officially began on June 10, 2013, following the swearing-in of cabinet members, and lasted until July 18, 2017, when Clark resigned after losing a confidence vote.
Election Basis: It was formed after the BC Liberals won 49 out of 85 seats in the May 14, 2013, provincial election, defeating the NDP’s 34 seats.
Cabinet Appointments: Clark appointed ministers based on experience and regional representation, including Mike de Jong as Finance Minister and Rich Coleman as Energy Minister.
Policy Agenda: The government prioritized economic growth, particularly through LNG development, aiming to attract $40 billion in foreign investment over a decade.
Legislative Output: Over four years, the ministry passed over 200 bills, including budget measures, environmental regulations, and health care reforms.
End of Term: After the 2017 election resulted in a 41–41 seat tie between Liberals and NDP, the Greens held the balance of power and supported an NDP minority government.

Comparison at a Glance

The 30th Ministry can be compared to adjacent administrations in terms of duration, policy focus, and electoral outcomes.

Ministry	Years in Office	Party	Seats Won	Key Policy Focus
29th Ministry	2011–2013	BC Liberal	55	Debt reduction, HST transition
30th Ministry	2013–2017	BC Liberal	49	LNG development, transportation
31st Ministry	2017–2020	BC NDP	41 (minority)	Housing affordability, rent control
32nd Ministry	2020–2022	BC NDP	57	COVID-19 response, climate action
33rd Ministry	2022–present	BC NDP	47	Cost of living, healthcare expansion

This comparison highlights how the 30th Ministry maintained BC Liberal dominance but faced increasing opposition, culminating in a tied legislature. Its emphasis on resource development contrasted with later ministries’ focus on social policy and affordability.

Why It Matters

The 30th Ministry shaped British Columbia’s trajectory in energy, infrastructure, and intergovernmental relations, leaving a lasting policy footprint. Its tenure illustrates the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental and social concerns.

The ministry’s carbon tax increase to $30 per tonne in 2014 reinforced BC’s leadership in climate policy, influencing other provinces.
Approval of the Site C Dam project in 2014 committed $8.8 billion to clean energy, though it sparked Indigenous and environmental opposition.
Its education reforms included increased K–12 funding and expansion of independent schools, drawing both praise and criticism.
The government’s aboriginal engagement strategy led to over 50 new consultation agreements with First Nations by 2016.
Public service restructuring reduced the number of ministries from 25 to 18 to improve efficiency and accountability.
The end of the 30th Ministry marked the first time since 1952 that neither major party won a majority, reshaping BC’s political landscape.

Ultimately, the 30th Ministry reflects a transitional era in BC politics, where economic ambitions met growing demands for sustainability and inclusivity, setting the stage for future policy debates.