Image: Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, and advocates from the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks in an announcement on March 22, 2022. / BC Govt / Flickr

By Canadian Press

Mitzi Dean

BC NDP Minister steps back from provincial politics

Aug 31, 2024 | 5:31 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s Minister of State for Child Care Mitzi Dean says she won’t be running in the provincial election in October.

Dean says she’s bowing out of the election to focus on her health and her family.

She says “personal challenges” over the last year have affected her health, and says dropping out of the running was “one of the most difficult decisions” of her life.

Dean says she’s grateful to her fellow caucus members and constituents in her riding on Vancouver Island, now known as Esquimalt-Colwood.

Premier David Eby says he agreed with Dean’s reasons for not running again, and says Dean is on leave from her ministerial role “effective immediately.”

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In July, fellow ministers Harry Bains, Bruce Ralston and Rob Fleming also announced they wouldn’t be seeking re-election when British Columbians head to the polls on October 19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2024.