In 2003, Forbes was presented the Special Merit Award for service and support to Saskatoon's lesbian and gay community at the Gay and Lesbian Awards (GALA). On February 3, 2006, Forbes was appointed Minister of Labour, with responsibilities for SaskWater. During his time as Labour Minister, advancements were seen in the fight against bullying in the workplace. "Effective on October 1, 2007, the statutory definition of harassment in Saskatchewan was expanded to include personal harassment in the workplace, such as the abuse of power and bullying, under amendments to the "Occupational Health and Safety Act". In addition to broadening the definition of harassment, a special adjudicator position was created to resolve harassment appeals independently." As Minister of Labour, Forbes was responsible for implementing Saskatchewan's newest holiday - Family Day and the Improving Work Opportunities Report which included raising the provincial minimum wage to LICO standards. Many workplace safety improvements such as the anti-harassment unit and introducing labour standards in the North also took place during his time as Minister of Labour. In November 2007, Forbes was again elected as the MLA for the Saskatoon Centre constituency with 57.36% of the vote. The Saskatchewan Party won control of the Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan NDP became the official opposition. David Forbes sat as the Opposition critic for Social Services, Disabilities, Housing and the Community Based Organization Sector. In November 2010, Forbes introduced a Private Member's Bill to protect service animals, such as guide dogs and police dogs. One week after introducing this bill it became law as a part of The Animal Protection Act. In April 2011, Forbes introduced a second Private Member's Bill, "The Saskatchewan Respectful Language Act," which would see phrases and words such as 'mental retardation,' 'retarded' or 'retard' found in government legislation, regulations and materials replaces with the use of 'intellectual disability.' The law was based on President Barack Obama's 'Rosa's Law.' The legislation was re-introduced by government and passed into law on May 18, 2011. Forbes received the Francis Schaan Award from People First Saskatchewan for his "outstanding commitment to promote respectful language in government." As critic for housing, Forbes called on the government "to come forward with a comprehensive affordable housing strategy and poverty reduction strategy, and to address the underlying causes of the crisis." As part of addressing the shortage of housing in the province and raising rents, Forbes championed a push for the implementation of rent controls. In November 2011, Forbes was re-elected as the MLA for Saskatoon Centre with 54% of the vote.