Chief Ed John to join NDP cabinet

The president of the Tsimshian Tribal council in Prince Rupert says First Nations Summit leader Ed John will be named as B.C.'s new Minister of Children and Families. Bob Hill says John phoned him Tuesday night and passed on the news about Wednesday's cabinet shuffle.

Chief John currently leads the largest aboriginal organization in B.C., the First Nations Summit. He would be only the second native to sit in a B.C. cabinet. The first was Frank Calder, who served under NDP Premier Dave Barrett in the early 1970s.

Premier Ujjal Dosanjh will unveil his cabinet changes on Wednesday afternoon. Beside the John appointment, he's also expected to drop half a dozen ministers, and promote several MLAs from the backbenches.

The Premier is expected to promote his long-time ally Tim Stephenson to cabinet, along with caucus chair Ed Conroy and former minister Dave Zirnhelt. Vancouver Island MLA's Evelyn Gillespie, Gerard Janssen and Glen Robertson are also expected to become cabinet ministers.

Veteran cabinet ministers who have decided not to run again will be dropped. They include Penny Priddy, Joan Sawicki, Andrew Petter, Dale Lovick, Jan Pullinger and former premier Dan Miller.