Longtime Prince George-Valemount BC United-Liberals MLA Shirley Bond has announced that she will not be running for re-election in October.Her decision came after now-former leader Kevin Falcon revealed that he had moved to suspend the party's campaign and back the Conservatives in order to give the centre-right the best chance of defeating David Eby and the BC NDP.."Today I am announcing that I have decided to withdraw as a candidate in the upcoming Provincial Election," Bond wrote in a statement, explaining that Falcon's move came as a "complete surprise."First elected to the Legislature in 2001, Bond has gone on to win five successive races as a member of the BC Liberals. During that time, she served as a Cabinet minister, Opposition Leader, and even briefly as Interim Party Leader."I cannot begin to describe the honour that it has been to serve the people of Prince George-Valemount and the Province of British BC," she added, thanking her family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and volunteers for having "worked so hard" over the years.Bond noted that she would be spending the next few days with her family on a pre-planned summer vacation, but that all questions would be addressed during a press conference scheduled for Tuesday September 3, 2024.The seasoned MLA's departure means the race in Prince George-Valemount is now down to one candidate, BC Conservatives' Rosalyn Bird. The BC NDP have yet to nominate anyone in the riding.A number of other BC United-Liberals MLAs and candidates have announced their names will not be on the ballot come October, refusing to even be considered to run under a Conservative ticket. Among them are thrice-elected Kamloops-South Thompson BC United-Liberals MLA Todd Stone and Chilliwack-Cultus Lake candidate Sue Attrill Knott."Thank you to everyone for their overwhelming support," the latter said in a Facebook post. "I could not have imagined that the BC United would be pulling out of the race. If this will defeat the NDP, I am in full support of the decision. Whoever you are supporting please make sure you vote on October 19th. It is very important to have your say."
Longtime Prince George-Valemount BC United-Liberals MLA Shirley Bond has announced that she will not be running for re-election in October.Her decision came after now-former leader Kevin Falcon revealed that he had moved to suspend the party's campaign and back the Conservatives in order to give the centre-right the best chance of defeating David Eby and the BC NDP.."Today I am announcing that I have decided to withdraw as a candidate in the upcoming Provincial Election," Bond wrote in a statement, explaining that Falcon's move came as a "complete surprise."First elected to the Legislature in 2001, Bond has gone on to win five successive races as a member of the BC Liberals. During that time, she served as a Cabinet minister, Opposition Leader, and even briefly as Interim Party Leader."I cannot begin to describe the honour that it has been to serve the people of Prince George-Valemount and the Province of British BC," she added, thanking her family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and volunteers for having "worked so hard" over the years.Bond noted that she would be spending the next few days with her family on a pre-planned summer vacation, but that all questions would be addressed during a press conference scheduled for Tuesday September 3, 2024.The seasoned MLA's departure means the race in Prince George-Valemount is now down to one candidate, BC Conservatives' Rosalyn Bird. The BC NDP have yet to nominate anyone in the riding.A number of other BC United-Liberals MLAs and candidates have announced their names will not be on the ballot come October, refusing to even be considered to run under a Conservative ticket. Among them are thrice-elected Kamloops-South Thompson BC United-Liberals MLA Todd Stone and Chilliwack-Cultus Lake candidate Sue Attrill Knott."Thank you to everyone for their overwhelming support," the latter said in a Facebook post. "I could not have imagined that the BC United would be pulling out of the race. If this will defeat the NDP, I am in full support of the decision. Whoever you are supporting please make sure you vote on October 19th. It is very important to have your say."
