A member of the B.C. Liberal cabinet has taken gold at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Michelle Stilwell won the 400-metre T52 final with a time of 1:05, more than two seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.

It's Stilwell's fifth Paralympic gold medal.

She will also compete in the 100-metre race. In London in 2012, she captured silver in that competition.

Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, also won a gold medal in the 2000 Paralympics as a wheelchair basketball player.