He might be stepping into a new role as minster of forests, but MLA Ravi Parmar says he wonB次元官网网址檛 forget his roots; his work B次元官网网址渟tarts and stopsB次元官网网址� in Langford-Highlands.

B次元官网网址淚 want them [constituents] to know that even though I'm taking on this important portfolio that may take me away from Langford-Highlands from time to time, they are in my heart and in my mind 24/7 and always will be,B次元官网网址� says Parmar.

But with his unwavering commitment to his riding, his new portfolio and an additional role as deputy Government House leader, Parmar knows he will have a full plate in the months and years ahead, but he appears unfazed.

"I'll have a lot of challenges, but I think opportunities as well ... so I'm really looking forward to getting to work," he says.

Sworn into his new ministry role at a ceremony held at Government House on Nov. 18, Parmar says he is B次元官网网址渢ruly honouredB次元官网网址� to have been chosen by Premier David Eby to take a seat in his cabinet.

A former staff member of the Forests Ministry, Parmar says he asked Eby to be given the portfolio.

"I have a lot of respect for the hard-working men and women who work in the forests industry, directly and indirectly," he says. "Like energy is for Alberta, forestry for B.C. is our bedrock industry B次元官网网址� always has been, always will be B次元官网网址� and it is my job to make sure that it stays that way."

And the new forests minister is already keen to get to work, listing sustainability of the industry, creating well-paid jobs and ensuring B.C. gets the most value for its timber, as some of the key areas he already has his eye on.

B次元官网网址淚 think it's going to be my opportunity as someone who can bring in a fresh perspective, to come in here and work with the industry to find solutions to ensure that we have a vibrant and sustainable forest industry we can all be proud of for generations to come,B次元官网网址� said Parmar.

B次元官网网址淭hat's going to be my number one priority, making sure that the workers in the forest industry know that we have their back.B次元官网网址�

But the new minister says he is fully aware of the challenges he faces.

B次元官网网址淚t's so secret that we've had mill curtailments and closures, and we've seen that for some time, from the early B次元官网网址�00s B次元官网网址� thousands of jobs lost and mills closed,B次元官网网址� he says.

Protecting old-growth forests and building biodiversity into future plans are also high on Parmar's list of priorities.

B次元官网网址淚t's going to be my responsibility to make sure that we fulfill our commitment to British Columbians on our Old Growth Strategic Review,B次元官网网址� he says.

Fourteen recommendations were made in the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review, including the immediate deferral of logging in the most biologically diverse at-risk areas.

B次元官网网址淎s the new minister of forests, itB次元官网网址檚 my job to make sure we fulfill those recommendations,B次元官网网址� he adds. 

Alongside his role as minister of forests, Parmar was also appointed deputy Government House leader, supporting leader Mike Farnworth, in a role he imagines will bring B次元官网网址渕any challengesB次元官网网址� because of the B.C. NDPB次元官网网址檚 slim majority.

B次元官网网址淚t's going to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to make sure we have a parliament that works for British Columbians,B次元官网网址� he said.

Echoing the words of Premier Eby, who said the incoming government would be returning to "kitchen table" basics, Parmar says the public can expect to see a focus on community safety, health care, affordable housing and work to address the challenges of the rise in the cost of living.

"And of course, making sure that we're building an economy that delivers for people, for everyone,B次元官网网址� says Parmar.