Vancouver: A British Columbia cabinet shuffle Nov. 6 has shifted responsibility for the government-run Bridge Studios in Burnaby from the ministry that also oversees funder British Columbia Film and marketer the B.C. Film Commission.

The cabinet change also means b.c.’s film community has a new politician in charge of policy.

Premier Ujjal Dosanjh named Port Alberni mla and longtime party whip Gerard Janssen to his first cabinet posting as minister of small business, tourism and culture, the ministry responsible for the domestic industry including B.C. Film and the B.C. Film Commission.

Longtime film minister Ian Waddell was moved to the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

The shuffle also moved Crown corporation B.C. Pavilion Corp. – which oversees properties such as B.C. Place Stadium, Canada Place and The Bridge Studios – to the Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security, overseen by Minister Mike Farnworth, formally minister of health.

‘I don’t attach any great significance to the shuffle as far as PavCo and The Bridge are concerned,’ says Rob Egan, president and ceo of B.C. Film. ‘I see no change in the government’s support to the film and television industry. We look forward to working with the new minister to address the needs of the indigenous industry, especially in light of Sheila Copps’ announcement of more money for feature film.’ *

– www.gov.bc.ca