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Retired B.C. bureaucrat getting $11,882 biweekly for ‘transition’ services

Christy Clark’s deputy minister charged Horgan’s NDP $1 a year
don-wright-creditbcgovt
Don Wright | Photo: Government of BC

The NDP government has hired Don Wright, a former senior bureaucrat, at a cost of $11,882 biweekly as “special advisor, transition, Office of the Premier.”

The figure is somewhat higher than the $1-a-year charged by Wright’s predecessor, Christy Clark’s deputy minister Kim Henderson, when she assisted the Liberal-to-NDP transition in 2017.

The appointment of Wright to the position was made Nov. 24 after the Premier John Horgan Nov. 10 announced Wright was stepping down as deputy minister to the premier, cabinet secretary and head of the B.C. Public Service. 

Replacing Wright in the position is long-time provincial bureaucrat Lori Wanamaker.

"With our government now preparing for a second mandate, Don has decided it is time for him to focus on other priorities,” Horgan said in a Nov. 10 statement. “I am glad Don has agreed to continue through the transition period to provide his advice and counsel on the challenges ahead.”

The term of Wright’s appointment ends Jan. 31, 2021.

“He, as the former deputy minister to the premier and head of the public service, agreed to stay on to assist in the transition to new leadership of the B.C. Public Service and the coordination of new ministries,” Horgan’s press secretary Jen Holmwood said.

Public service documents show Wright’s 2019 salary at $301,215.

Wanamaker is a 31-year veteran of the public service, including 15 years as a deputy minister. Wanamaker was appointed deputy minister of finance in 2017.

Lt-Gov. Janet Austin and presiding cabinet member and former finance minister Carole James signed the order-in-council appointing Wright 

Wanamaker’s appointment was made by another November order-in-council.

As a deputy minister, Wanamaker was making $ 256,454 in 2019.

Wright has a Harvard doctorate in economics and was president of both Central1 Credit Union and the B.C. Institute of Technology before going to the premier’s office. He is also a past deputy minister of forests and education and secretary to the treasury board.

Wright succeeded premier Christy Clark’s deputy minister, Kim Henderson who was fired with severance pay when the NDP took office in 2017.

She agreed to assist in the transition for $1 a year.

Henderson did, however, receive severance of $540,955.

Liberal finance critic Mike Bernier did not respond to a request for comment.

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