After being sworn in as 91原创's new MLAs last Wednesday, one week later two of the community's three new politicians were given positions on the BC Conservative's shadow cabinet.

John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, unveiled his shadow cabinet just days after NDP leader David Eby announced his cabinet ministers.

Rustad called his shadow cabinet "a dynamic team of talented individuals ready to hold David Eby鈥檚 disastrous government accountable and present a strong alternative vision for British Columbia."

Following the Oct. 19 election, boundaries were shifted and 91原创 is now represented by three MLAs. All three elected to the legislature were BC Conservatives.

91原创-Abbotsford's Harman Bhangu will sit on the shadow cabinet as MLA responsible for transportation.

During the campaign, Bhangu listed some potential credentials for his new posting. He described himself as an "aggregate hauler," handling bids for contracts and operations in the construction industry. He said he has 15 years of experience in the heavy-load trucking industry.

Meanwhile, Township councillor and new 91原创-Walnut Grove's MLA Misty Van Popta has been appointed to the shadow cabinet, responsible for infrastructure and construction.

Van Popta has served the past few years on Township council, a position she intends to keep while also serving as MLA. But, she indicated she is giving up her previous day job as a project manager in the construction industry.

That leaves Jody Toor, the new MLA for 91原创-Willowbrook, without a seat on Rustad's shadow cabinet. But he noted that more leadership positions will be announced follow Thursday's caucus meeting.

鈥淥ur shadow cabinet is a diverse and experienced group, committed to restoring prosperity, public safety, and affordability for every British Columbian,鈥� said Rustad.

鈥淲ith experts in every field, we are focused on delivering real solutions for the challenges our province faces.鈥�

Rustad concluded, 鈥渨ith the talent and dedication of this caucus we will hold David Eby to account for his governments out of control spending and ongoing failures in health care, public safety, and addictions."

MLAs accused of double dipping

Following Wednesday's release of the shadow cabinet, Rustad took criticism from the NDP for letting some of their MLAs 鈥� including Van Popta 鈥� to "double dip" and collect two taxpayer salaries.

There are 13 newly elected MLAs who were serving in various local governments at the time of their election.

Six of those are BC NDP MLAs who have stepped down or indicated their plan to do so, said Darlene Rotchford, the MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood who is among those who stepped down from her duties as a municipal councillor in Esquimalt.

鈥淏eing an MLA is a full-time job and the people we represent deserve a full-time commitment from us,鈥� Rotchford said, noting that at least two BC Conservative MLAs 鈥� Van Popta and Korky Neufeld 鈥� have declared their intent to carry on at both levels.

Fellow Conservatives Heather Maahs and Jordan Kealy have not announced their intentions yet.

鈥淏ritish Columbians are facing some real challenges and they deserve MLAs who are 100 per cent focused on addressing priorities like health care, housing costs, and the cost of living," Rotchford concluded.