Photo: Contributed

Rookie MLA Renee Merrifield will play a key role in interim BC Liberal leader Shirley Bond's shadow cabinet.

Merrifield, the newly-elected MLA for Kelowna-Mission has been handed the plum assignment of Liberal health critic.

Always one of the more important critic roles, the health portfolio has taken on increased significance as the province continues to navigate its way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick had held the role of health critic since March of 2018 when Andrew Wilkinson assumed leadership of the party.

In his role, Letnick was constantly praised by NDP Health Minister Adrian Dix for his help in addressing the pandemic.

Letnick was left off the critics list, but was named the assistant deputy speaker.

Several other interior MLAs were also named to the shadow cabinet Monday.

They include:

• Jackie Tegart (Fraser-Nicola) - Education
• Ben Stewart (Kelowna West)- Housing
• Dan Ashton (Penticton) - Municipal Affairs
• Greg Kyllo (Shuswap) - Labour and Deputy Party Whip
• Peter Milobar (Kamloops-North Thompson) - Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
• Todd Stone (Kamloops-South Thompson) - Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation