For the first time since 2001, the Prince George-Valemount riding will have a new MLA.
Shirley Bond announced this afternoon (Thursday) she has decided to withdraw her candidacy after yesterday’s shock announcement from BC United Party leader Kevin Falcon that the party’s campaign would be suspended for the upcoming election.
Bond, like others in the BC United Party, said the announcement came as “a complete surprise.”
“I cannot begin to describe the honour that it has been to serve the people of Prince George-Valemount and the Province of BC as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Minister, Opposition Leader and Interim Party Leader over the course of two decades,” she said in a written statement.
“I want to thank my family, friends, colleagues, the supporters and volunteers who have worked so hard on my behalf, even knocking on doors and making hundreds of phone calls this week alone. I will always be humbled and grateful for your friendship and belief in me. To my staff, there are no words to describe how much you mean to me and how incredible you have been in serving our constituents and province. I have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of calls, messages, and texts of personal support that I have received. I am sure you can understand I have not been able to respond yet, but I will try to connect with you in the days ahead.”
Bond added she is spending time with family right now, and will speak in more detail with media on September 3rd.
She was first elected in 2001 as the Prince George-Valemount MLA.
In that time, Bond has served as Interim Leader of the Official Opposition, and Deputy Premier, as well as Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy, Minister of Advanced Education, and Minister of Health Services.
She was also the first female Attorney General in the province’s history.
Her withdrawal leaves just one candidate remaining in the Prince George-Valemount riding – Conservative Party member Rosalyn Bird.
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