Vancouver area MLA George Heyman not seeking re-election, endorses former city councillor

Vancouver-Fairview’s MLA for over a decade announced Monday that he will not be seeking re-election during the upcoming October provincial polls.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman says his time at the Legislature “serving the people of Vancouver-Fairview since 2013 is one of the greatest honours” of his life. He is now endorsing former Vancouver city councillor Andrea Reimer for the seat.

Heyman was elected in 2017 and 2020. Before his life in provincial politics, Heyman served as the executive director of the Sierra Club of BC, and served three terms as president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU).

“I value the many conversations I’ve had with community members, small business owners, students, and artists of every discipline. My constituents have shared their concerns about public education, housing, health care and our environment,” he said on social media Monday.

“Meeting people on the doorsteps of their homes I listened closely as they talked about their immediate needs, their longer-range concerns for themselves and their families, and their views about what makes a strong and healthy community.”

While not sharing publicly his reasons for not seeking re-election, Heyman says he is excited about what the future has in store, “including a remarkable potential candidate who would be an excellent provincial representative for the people of Vancouver-Little Mountain.”

“Andrea Reimer brings invaluable experience with three terms on Vancouver city council, and as deputy mayor,” he said. “She has a strong record as an environmentalist, an affordable housing advocate, and much more.”

“From now through October I look forward to working hard on the issues that matter to all British Columbians and representing my constituents in every way I can,” he added.

Reimer, an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia, first entered politics in B.C. in 2002 when she was elected to the Vancouver School Board. In 2008, she joined former mayor Gregor Robertson’s campaign and was elected to Vancouver city council for three consecutive terms.