[18] Yap also signed agreements with Washington Department of Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant on limiting carbon emissions from government operations and promoting awareness of the impacts of sea level rise on coastal areas.

"[21] Yap supported the first Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement in 2009 (PSECA) as a partnership between BC Hydro and the Government of British Columbia.

[22] This agreement achieved annual energy cost savings of close to $7.4 million, GHG reductions of over 18,700 tonnes and conservation of 38.6 GWh of electricity.

[24] In the 2011 BC Liberal Party leadership election Yap endorsed Kevin Falcon,[25] though Christy Clark eventually won.

[30] As a part of that role, the provincial government provided $700,000 to FPInnovations to gauge the extent of British Columbia's bio-economy, and help industry identify cost-effective fiber available for new projects, including areas affected by the mountain pine beetle.

[30] On December 8, 2011, Premier Christy Clark formed The British Columbia Immigration Task Force and appointed Yap as chair.

The purpose of the ITF was to "review key government programs to increase the number of skilled immigrants and investors in British Columbia.

"[31] The ITF report, delivered to Premier Christy Clark on March 31, 2012, was composed of the findings of eight British Columbia-wide regional consultations.

Industry officials, stakeholders, and the general public were asked to provide their viewpoints, suggestions, and expertise in regards to the challenge of attracting skilled immigrants to BC.

As chairperson of the ITF, Yap provided a quote on his experiences and findings: "Travelling across the province, hearing stories from a range of employers about the challenges they are facing filling jobs in all types of industries impressed upon the task force the immediate and overwhelming need to bring more skilled immigrants to B.C.

The scandal erupted over the leaking of a document, created using taxpayer resources, to attract ethnic voters to the BC Liberals in hopes of winning key ridings in the May 14, 2013, provincial election.

[37] In July 2013, John Yap was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Liquor Policy Reform.

[38] The Liberals won the largest number of seats on election night but not enough to form a majority government, leading to the party's defeat on a confidence vote on June 29, 2017.

[39] Yap was named opposition critic for liquor, gaming and Insurance Corporation of British Columbia in August 2017,[40] before assuming the arts and culture portfolio in September 2020.