Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean announced Saturday that she won’t be running in the provincial election in October.
Dean, minister of state for child care, said she’s bowing out of the election to focus on her health and her family.
She said “personal challenges” over the last year have affected her health, and dropping out of the running was “one of the most difficult decisions” of her life.
Dean said she’s grateful to her fellow caucus members and constituents in her riding, which is becoming Esquimalt-Colwood in the next election.
Premier David Eby said Dean is on leave from her ministerial role “effective immediately” to focus on her health.
He said he wishes her “the best with the difficult personal work she has ahead. I am very grateful for her selfless efforts and the many sacrifices she made to work for the people of British Columbia for so many years.
In July, fellow ministers Harry Bains, Bruce Ralston and Rob Fleming also announced they wouldn’t be seeking re-election when British Columbians head to the polls on Oct. 19.
Camille Currie, founder of patient advocacy group BC Health Care Matters, is running for the B.C. Green Party in the riding.
The Conservatives have yet to name a new candidate after the party removed Jan Webb, a retired nurse, as their nomination in March after she made social media posts doubting the efficacy of vaccines.
Former Esquimalt-Colwood BC United candidate Megan Brame turned down an offer to join the B.C. Conservatives on Tuesday night, a day before BC United Leader Kevin Falcon announced that his party was withdrawing from the election.
