Three prominent members of the B.C. NDP government's inner circle have announced they will not be running in the next provincial election.
The announcement Wednesday that long-time Lower Mainland MLA and current Forests Minister Bruce Ralston would not be chasing re-election was followed Thursday by similar announcements from B.C. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming and B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains.
A Surrey-Newton NDP MLA, Bains pulled the plug this week on seeking a sixth consecutive term. First elected in 2005, Bains, now 72, won at the polls in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020.
Over the years he has served as opposition critic for transportation and infrastructure, and opposition spokesman for forests, land and natural resource operations, jobs, employment, labour, WorkSafeBC and the 2010 Olympics.
"It's been very rewarding," Bains told the Now-Leader on Wednesday. "Five elections later, I'm so happy that we achieved a lot."
Bains said serving Surrey-Newton has been a "fulfilling experience, I think a satisfying journey, and I can simply go onto my rocking chair and say I think I was able to make a difference in so many lives."
But he said he owes it to his wife and family to turn the page. They provided him with "rock-solid support" over the years, he said. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without them and I think I will be devoting my time to them."
Otherwise, Bains said he has no other plans other than spend as much time as he can with his family, "travel a bit, then who knows what lies in life going forward."
Meanwhile, Ralston is also calling it a day.
The five-term NDP MLA for Surrey-Whalley is ending a storied career that began when he defeated incumbent Democratic Reform MLA Elayne Brenzinger for the seat in 2005. He continued his election-winning ways in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020.
"The session is very busy, I had a little bit of a chance to reflect and just to think about the prospect of going forward for another four years," Ralston told the Now-Leader. "I've been at it almost 20 years so I decided that's it's time for the next, time to do something else, time for the next phase of my life."
A criminal defence lawyer by trade, Ralston (King's Counsel) also ran his own law firm in Surrey, where he has lived since 1990. "I still have my practicing certificate, I've kept that up, done the courses. I don't really expect to return to the practice of law, no."
His career as MLA saw him serve as president of the BC NDP from 1996 to 2001, and replace John Horgan as NDP House Leader in 2014 so Horgan could run for the party leadership.
Before entering the provincial arena Ralston, now 71, served on Surrey council from 1988 to 1993 with the now-defunct Surrey Civic Electors slate, which had strong ties to the NDP.
Looking back, Ralston says the people of Surrey have been "pretty good" to him. "I've really enjoyed the opportunity to serve," he said. "I think in some respects politics is maybe a little bit coarser in some parts than it was before but people are generally very good.
"This doesn't happen terribly often, but I was on the SkyTrain platform at Gateway just, oh maybe a couple weeks ago," he recalled, "and a woman came up to me and said 'Are you Bruce Ralston?' And you're always a little bit cautious when someone asks you but I said yes. She said well, I just want to thank you for the great job that you do for our community. People do from time to time say that; it's not common – people express more pointed views on different topics. But that's part of being in political life and public service. You take the rough with the smooth."
In May, Ralston was still planning to run. As for stumping, he said, "run scared or run last, that's the old adage. Never take it for granted, that's for sure. I never do."
He has also served as minister responsible for the consular corps., minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, and minister of jobs, trade and technology.
Finally, after nearly two decades in the role, Victoria-Swan Lake MLA Rob Fleming is also bowing out of contention.
“While I am not seeking re-election this October, I remain deeply committed to working my utmost to re-elect Premier (David) Eby and the BC NDP team. This government has accomplished much, but there is much more to do. I am optimistic about our province’s ability to solve complex problems when we work together. And I hope to continue to be able to contribute to solving our challenges in a different capacity in the future,” Fleming said in a July 4 statement.
“I am incredibly thankful to all my constituents in Victoria-Swan Lake for their trust and support through five provincial elections."
Previously a Victoria city councillor, Fleming was first elected to what was then called the Victoria-Hillside riding in 2005, defeating Liberal incumbent Sheila Orr. Fleming has since served as education minister and finishes his career as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
He cites education successes such as seismically upgrading hundreds of schools across B.C. and specifically the local renovations and replacement of Vic High and Cedar Hill Middle School. In transportation he voices pride in government’s investment in the expansion of public transportation.
“This includes the extension of the SkyTrain from Surrey to Langley, the first in 30 years south of the Fraser, and the Broadway subway project. Together, these concurrent projects represent a combined 28 per cent expansion of the existing network. I am proud to be part of electrifying and expanding BC Transit services across the province with new rapid bus systems introduced. Investments we have made in active transportation, highway improvements, roads and bridges strengthen our supply chain and economy,” Fleming said.
The NDP losing three seasoned MLAs heading into the election begs the question whether the prospects of it forming government again are thought to be unlikely.
"Not at all," is Bain's reply to that. "I think there are so many young people already in the caucus we've seen come along in the last election and the election before that, that so many new that are running, you know, younger people, fresh ideas, I think that's what the parties should all be doing – renew themselves, with the new ideas, with the fresh faces, and that's exactly what's going to happen with the NDP. The NDP will win and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we win in Surrey-Newton and we form government again.
"I'm practical – experience does matter, but there are a lot of young, smart people coming up."
— with a file from Victoria News