Josie Osborne

Osborne studied marine biology at the University of British Columbia, then pursued a master's degree in resource management at Simon Fraser University.^[6][1] She moved to Tofino for a position as fisheries biologist for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, and later joined Raincoast Education Society, a local environmental education non-profit organization.^[1][7]

She ran as the mayor of Tofino unopposed as the Green Party candidate in both a 2013 by-election and the 2014 municipal election.^[8] She was re-elected in 2018^[9] with 86.75% of the overall vote.^[8]

Osborne supported the introduction of proportional representation in the 2018 British Columbia electoral reform referendum.^{[citation needed]}

In March 2019, Osborne spoke in favour of more affordable housing in Greater Vancouver.^[10]

In September 2020, Osborne announced her intention to seek the BC NDP nomination for the riding of Mid Island-Pacific Rim in the next provincial election.^[11] Osborne was successful and was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly at the October 2020 general election.^[12][13] A mayoral by-election was held in Tofino in February 2021 to replace Osborne.^[14]

On November 26, 2020, Osborne was sworn in to the Executive Council of British Columbia as Minister of Municipal Affairs under Premier John Horgan;^[15] she was then appointed Minister of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship and Minister responsible for Fisheries in February 2022.^[16] She was subsequently named Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in the Eby ministry on December 7, 2022.^[17]

In April 2024, an investigation was initiated by Osborne into MNP LLP's administration of two grant programs funded through the provincial carbon tax.^[18] The allegation was that one of MNP's teams working in the province acted in the capacity as both the administrator and grant application consultant on the CleanBC grant program.^[19]

After the 2024 election, Osborne was named Minister of Health.^[20]