Veteran MLA Shirley Bond is hoping for another term in office.
The Prince George-Valemount MLA, first elected in 2001, announced this week she will be seeking re-election next fall. BC United leader Kevin Falcon was in Prince George to support Bond, and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes, in re-election bid announcements.
Bond has extensive experience serving as Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, Deputy Premier, 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 the first female to hold the position of Attorney General in British Columbia’s history, a title she held while Minister of Justice. She also served as interim leader of the BC Liberals from 2020-2022.
If re-elected, it would be Bond’s seventh term in office.
“We are pleased to have a great team of dedicated individuals who have shown exceptional leadership throughout their careers in the private and public sectors,” said Falcon. “We are confident in their ability to continue delivering tangible results for British Columbians on the issues that matter most such as cost of living, public safety, health care, and mental health and addictions supports. Together, we will forge a brighter future for British Columbia.”
Bond and Oakes will be joining recently announced candidates Shane Brienen in Nechako Lakes and Kiel Giddens in Prince George-Mackenzie. Birenen will be up against former Liberal/BC United MLA and cabinet minister John Rustad, who was booted out of caucus by Falcon for climate change statements.
Falcon thanks Mike Morris, who serves as the MLA for Prince George – Mackenzie, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Morris has made significant contributions to the province, serving as critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General, as well as in various other roles, including Parliamentary Secretary for Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General – a position he held until 2017.
“It has been an incredible privilege to serve the people of Prince George – Mackenzie and British Columbia,” said Morris. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this dedicated team and contribute to our province’s growth. As I prepare to step aside, I am confident that BC United, under Kevin Falcon’s leadership, is the party to continue delivering results for our community and all of our province.”