Prince George Valemount MLA and current Jobs and Tourism Minister Shirley Bond is throwing her hat in the election ring for a fifth time.
She announced her candidacy at an informal event with premier Clark on Friday and says it was a decision she considered for a long time.
“After talking to my family, some close friends and obviously the leader, it was a decision I was happy to get past. So now the hard work starts to make sure that we can be successful.”
Bond said family considerations were a big part of her decision.
“You need to pour your heart and soul into this job and I wanted to make sure that my family was supportive, that my husband was healthy and all of those things are good so I’m happy about that. I know that we need to have very strong, experienced voices in Victoria to make sure that our message gets heard.”
Even after well over a decade of support from her riding, Bond says she knows winning her seat is far from guaranteed.
“I never ever take representing my constituents for granted. I know I need to earn the right to be in Victoria. I’ve had their support for – it will be 16 years at the end of this term and I’m going to go back and ask for their support one more time to make sure there is a seasoned, experienced person who can make those arguments on behalf of northern British Columbians.”
Bond acknowledges that the political grinds get harder with age but was coy about whether this will be her last election.
“The older you get, the fatigue from travel is a real challenge. It’s never say never though.”
Bond isn’t the only northern MLA planning to run in 2017.
Minister for Public Safety and the Solicitor General Mike Morris will run for his Prince George Mackenzie seat again and Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Rustad will seek to keep his Nechako Lakes constituency.
The province is scheduled to go to the polls on May 9, 2017.