The Vander Zalm ministry was the combined Cabinet (formally the Executive Council of British Columbia) that governed British Columbia from August 6, 1986, to April 2, 1991. It was led by Bill Vander Zalm, the 28th premier of British Columbia, and consisted of members of the Social Credit Party.
The Vander Zalm ministry was established part-way through the 33rd Parliament of British Columbia, after Premier Bill Bennett stepped down and Vander Zalm was elected as his successor. Following the 1986 election, it continued to govern through the 34th Parliament of British Columbia, until Vander Zalm stepped down in 1991. It was succeeded by the Johnston ministry.
List of ministers +Vander Zalm ministry by portfolioPortfolioMinisterTenureStartEndPremier of British ColumbiaBill Vander ZalmAugust 6, 1986April 2, 1991Deputy Premier of British ColumbiaVacantAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Grace McCarthyAugust 14, 1986November 6, 1986VacantNovember 6, 1986August 10, 1990Rita JohnstonAugust 10, 1990April 2, 1991Minister of Advanced Education, Training and TechnologyRussell FraserAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Stan HagenNovember 6, 1986July 29, 1987Brian Smith (acting)July 29, 1987August 6, 1987Stan HagenAugust 6, 1987November 1, 1989Bruce StrachanNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Agriculture and FisheriesJim HewittAugust 7, 1986November 6, 1986John SavageNovember 6, 1986December 13, 1990Harry de JongDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Attorney GeneralBrian SmithAugust 6, 1986June 29, 1988Elwood Veitch (acting)June 29, 1988August 6, 1988Bud SmithAugust 6, 1988July 13, 1990Russell FraserJuly 13, 1990April 2, 1991Minister of Consumer and Corporate AffairsElwood VeitchAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Minister of Crown LandsHoward DirksJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Dave ParkerNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Economic DevelopmentGrace McCarthyAugust 14, 1986July 5, 1988Minister of EducationJim HewittAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Anthony BrummetAugust 14, 1986December 13, 1990Stan HagenDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum ResourcesAnthony BrummetAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Jack DavisAugust 14, 1986March 28, 1991Minister of EnvironmentAustin PeltonAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Stephen RogersNovember 6, 1986March 3, 1987Bruce StrachanMarch 3, 1987November 1, 1989John ReynoldsNovember 1, 1989December 13, 1990Cliff SerwaDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Minister of Finance and Corporate RelationsHugh CurtisAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Bill Vander ZalmAugust 14, 1986November 6, 1986Mel CouvelierNovember 6, 1986March 7, 1991Elwood VeitchMarch 7, 1991April 2, 1991Minister of ForestsJack HeinrichAugust 6, 1986August 11, 1986Jack KempfAugust 14, 1986March 6, 1987John Savage (acting)March 6, 1987March 31, 1987Dave ParkerMarch 31, 1987November 1, 1989Claude RichmondNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Government Management ServicesGrace McCarthyAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Hugh CurtisAugust 14, 1986November 6, 1986Elwood VeitchNovember 6, 1986July 6, 1988Cliff MichaelJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Carol GranNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of HealthJim NielsenAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Peter DueckNovember 6, 1986November 1, 1989John JansenNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Human ResourcesJim NielsenAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Minister of Industry and Small Business DevelopmentRobert McClellandAugust 6, 1986August 13, 1986Minister of Intergovernmental RelationsGarde GardomAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Bruce StrachanNovember 6, 1986March 3, 1987Stephen RogersMarch 3, 1987November 13, 1987Minister of International Business and ImmigrationJohn JansenJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Elwood VeitchNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of International Trade, Science and InvestmentPat McGeerAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Minister of Labour and Consumer ServicesTerry SegartyAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Lyall HansonNovember 6, 1986November 1, 1989Norman JacobsenNovember 1, 1989December 13, 1990James RabbittDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Minister of Lands, Parks and HousingJack KempfAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and CultureJack HeinrichAugust 7, 1986August 11, 1986Rita JohnstonAugust 14, 1986November 1, 1989Lyall HansonNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Native AffairsJack WeisgerberJuly 6, 1988April 2, 1991Minister of ParksTerry HubertsJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Ivan MessmerNovember 1, 1989December 13, 1990John SavageDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Provincial SecretaryGrace McCarthyAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Hugh CurtisAugust 14, 1986November 6, 1986Elwood VeitchNovember 6, 1986July 6, 1988Bill ReidJuly 6, 1988September 22, 1989Claude RichmondSeptember 22, 1989November 1, 1989Howard DirksNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Regional and Economic DevelopmentElwood VeitchJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Stan HagenNovember 1, 1989December 13, 1990Bud SmithDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Minister responsible for Science and TechnologyStan HagenJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Minister responsible for SeniorsPeter DueckJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989John JansenNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Social Services and HousingClaude RichmondAugust 14, 1986November 1, 1989Peter DueckNovember 1, 1989June 4, 1990Norman JacobsenJune 4, 1990April 2, 1991Solicitor GeneralAngus ReeJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Russell FraserNovember 1, 1989December 13, 1990Ivan MessmerDecember 13, 1990April 2, 1991Minister of TourismClaude RichmondAugust 6, 1986August 14, 1986Bill ReidAugust 14, 1986September 22, 1989Claude RichmondSeptember 22, 1989November 1, 1989Cliff MichaelNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister of Transportation and HighwaysAlex FraserAugust 6, 1986November 6, 1986Cliff MichaelNovember 6, 1986November 13, 1987Stephen RogersNovember 13, 1987July 6, 1988Neil VantJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Rita JohnstonNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991Minister responsible for Women's ProgramsCarol GranNovember 1, 1989April 2, 1991
Ministers of state + Ministers of state in the Vander Zalm ministryPortfolioMinisterTenureStartEndMinister of State, CaribooBruce StrachanOctober 22, 1987November 1, 1989Minister of State, KootenayRita JohnstonOctober 22, 1987July 6, 1988Minister of State, Mainland/SouthwestElwood VeitchOctober 22, 1987November 1, 1989Minister of State, NechakoStephen RogersOctober 22, 1987July 6, 1988Minister of State, Nechako and NortheastJack WeisgerberJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Minister of State, North CoastDave ParkerOctober 22, 1987July 6, 1988Minister of State, NortheastAnthony BrummetFebruary 1988July 6, 1988Minister of State, OkanaganClaude RichmondOctober 22, 1987July 6, 1988Minister of State, Peace RiverAnthony BrummetOctober 22, 1987February 1988Minister of State, Thompson–Okanagan and KootenaysHoward DirksJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989Minister of State, Vancouver Island/CoastStan HagenOctober 22, 1987July 6, 1988Minister of State, Vancouver Island/Coast and North CoastTerry HubertsJuly 6, 1988November 1, 1989
Cabinet composition and shuffles Vander Zalm was sworn into office on August 6, 1986, inheriting Bennett's cabinet; he said he would assemble a new cabinet to be sworn in the next week. During this time, two cabinet ministers resigned their posts: Jack Heinrich and Robert McClelland.
On August 14, Vander Zalm unveiled his new cabinet. Only three ministers were named to replace the four departed ones, with the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing dissolved and its responsibilities split to accommodate the reduced cabinet size. Vander Zalm said his reduced cabinet should be taken "as a clear sign of less government … I expect that over a period of time, a reduction in the size of government will continue where appropriate." The three ministers joining cabinet were Jack Davis as minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources; Rita Johnston as minister of municipal affairs; and Bill Reid as minister of tourism. Notably, the three were also the only Socred MLAs to support Vander Zalm's leadership bid from the beginning. Grace McCarthy, third-place finisher in the 1986 party leadership election, moved from provincial secretary to economic development, and was additionally made deputy premier; Claude Richmond moved to social services and housing; Jack Kempf took over forests and lands; Anthony Brummet was named to education; and Jim Hewitt was appointed to agriculture and fisheries. Vander Zalm himself took the finance portfolio, to provide a "hands on" approach to financial and economic development, but added that he only intended to hold the role "as long as it takes." Meanwhile, Brian Smith (runner-up in the 1986 leadership election), Pat McGeer, Russ Fraser, Alex Fraser, Garde Gardom, Terry Segarty and Elwood Veitch all retained their existing portfolios.
Following the government's re-election in the 1986 election, Vander Zalm initiated a major shuffle on November 6. Two more ministries — the Ministry of International Trade, Science and Investment; and the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate affairs — were dissolved, with their responsibilities being incorporated into other ministries; almost every ministry's responsibilities were reorganized to accommodate this. Seven new members were added to cabinet, including five who were newly elected: Mel Couvelier, John Savage, Peter Dueck, Stan Hagen and Lyall Hanson. Vander Zalm said that the number of newly elected ministers would be an advantage, as they would bring an "open-minded approach" to their ministries and to cabinet. Couvelier was appointed minister of finance. McCarthy lost her title of deputy premier, which was eliminated, but gained responsibility for international trade. Notably absent were Bud Smith, Kim Campbell and John Reynolds, all unsuccessful leadership candidates; however, Stephen Rogers, another leadership candidate, joined cabinet as minister of environment and parks. The new cabinet consisted of 17 ministers.
Throughout 1987, the Vander Zalm ministry saw several ministers resign due to allegations of conflicts-of-interest. On March 3, Rogers offered his resignation as environment minister; Vander Zalm accepted his resignation, but moved him to a new portfolio instead of dropping him from cabinet. Rogers was named to intergovernmental affairs, replacing Bruce Strachan, who in turn took over Rogers' old portfolio. Days later, on March 7, Kempf resigned as forests minister as Vander Zalm announced an internal investigation into "financial irregularities" in the ministry; Savage took over as acting minister until March 31, when Dave Parker was named the new minister. On July 24, Stan Hagen announced his resignation as minister of advanced education in response to a conflict-of-interest investigation; Brian Smith took over on an interim basis. Hagen was reinstated as minister on August 6, after the report found he was violated guidelines but not the B.C. Constitution Act. On November 13, Cliff Michael resigned as transport minister after admitting to a "perceived conflict of interest"; he was replaced by Rogers.
In September 1987, Vander Zalm announced a plan to decentralize provincial government with the creation of eight regional districts to administer various government services. Vander Zalm also said that each region would be represented by a "minister of state" in the cabinet, who would have responsibility for co-ordinating economic development and government services in said region.
In mid-1988, the ministry was rocked by two high-profile resignations. On June 28, attorney general Brian Smith resigned from cabinet. Smith said his resignation was because Vander Zalm did not adequately respect the independence of his office, citing two instances of meddling, and that Vander Zalm was planning to split the ministry into two. Elwood Veitch became acting attorney general. One week later, on July 6, Grace McCarthy resigned from cabinet, also in protest of Vander Zalm's leadership and the interference of "arrogant" civil servants in the premier's office.