Prior ministry

The Prior ministry was the combined Cabinet that governed British Columbia from November 21, 1902, to June 1, 1903. It was led by Edward Gawler Prior, the 15th premier of British Columbia. It was formed during the 9th Parliament, after Premier James Dunsmuir resigned and named Prior as his successor. Prior had been a member of the Dunsmuir ministry.
Prior was dismissed as premier by Lieutenant Governor Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière over a conflict of interest scandal that implicated several ministers, including Prior. Joly de Lotbinière then invited opposition leader Richard McBride to form the McBride ministry.
This was the last British Columbia ministry to be non-partisan. It is also the last time in Canadian political history that a lieutenant governor dismissed a premier.

Cabinet shuffles

On November 28, only days after appointment, Denis Murphy resigned from cabinet. His resignation took Prior by surprise, and Murphy gave no explanation beyond "personal reasons". William Wallace Burns McInnes was appointed to replace him, in addition to his role as president of the council.
Following the eruption of a scandal involving the improper granting of land, Prior fired the two ministers implicated, David McEwen Eberts and Wilmer Cleveland Wells. McInnes also resigned, on his own volition.