Two NDP MLAs not seeking re-election

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — A pair of NDP MLAs announced Monday they will not be seeking re-election.

Doug Donaldson, MLA for Stikine in northwestern B.C. and the minister of forests, has decided not to run again after 22 years in public life.

As well, Scott Fraser, MLA for Alberni-Pacific Rim, has also decided not to run in the next provincial election.

Donaldson said he wants to spend more time with his family and friends.

The pre pre-election fun and games begins.@scottfraserndp will not be running again.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/OPovEJZINh

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) September 14, 2020

He was elected to represent the Stikine constituency in 2009 and was on Hazelton council for 10 years before that.

“One of my main motivations for running in provincial politics was to address grassroots struggles faced by northern, rural residents of Stikine that are linked to government policies and institutional biases,” Donaldson said.

Since 2009, I have had the great privilege of serving my community in the @BCLegislature. Today, I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election as MLA for #Stikine in the next provincial election.

Read my full statementhttps://t.co/yzh9oSMbew pic.twitter.com/04gmQLat6J

— Doug Donaldson (@DonaldsonDoug) September 14, 2020

“I vowed to work from the inside as your MLA to do that. I believe there have been successes and recognize there is much more to be done. For instance, the work on aboriginal title embodied by passing the groundbreaking Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Wet’suwet’en [Memoradum of Understanding] has just begun.”

Fraser was elected as the MLA for Alberni-Pacific Rim in May 2009 and re-elected in May 2013. He served as MLA for Alberni-Qualicum from May 2005 until the riding boundaries were re-drawn.

He said not running again was a difficult decision, but he also wants to spend more time with loved ones.

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“It has been a privilege and honour to serve as the MLA for mid-Island-Pacific Rim in the last 15 years. I want to thank the people of this constituency for putting eir confidence and trust in me,” he said in a release.

Fraser serves as Opposition spokesperson for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

From 1996 to 1999, he was the mayor of the District of Tofino and was involved in the creation of the first UNESCO World Biosphere designation in B.C.

Last week, the B.C. minister of social development and poverty reduction, Shane Simpson, said he won’t run in the next provincial election. Simpson represents the riding of Vancouver-Hastings.

Also Monday, the B.C. Green Party announced Sonia Furstenau as its new leader.