West Vancouver Liberal MLA McIntyre won't seek re-election
BC Liberal MLA Joan McIntyre won't run for re-election in her West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding next May.
The two-term MLA and former Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations told The Outlook Tuesday it had been her intention upon entering public life in 2005 to "probably not do more than two terms," adding that she leaves the job with no regrets and no hard feelings towards either the BC Liberal Party or the leadership of Premier Christy Clark.
"I'm actually retiring retiring," McIntyre said, dispelling any rumours she might parlay her career in provincial politics into some other arena of public life or private enterprise.
"I know we've not been perfect and I know there's some public discontent," McIntyre said. "But, I think all-in-all, I hope people will look at us for the strength of the economic management of the province during a very, very difficult time."
In a statement released Tuesday, Premier Clark thanked McIntyre for her service, calling her "a passionate supporter of West Vancouver and the Sea-to-Sky corridor" who "earned the respect of all who have worked with her."
Before entering politics, McIntyre co-founded market research firm, McIntyre & Mustel Research, which continues on today as the Mustel Group.
The outgoing MLA said she counts among her own and her party's proudest achievements the staging of the 2010 Olympics, the construction of a new Capilano University film centre and the establishment of the HOpe Centre for Mental Health and Addictions at Lions Gate Hospital, adding that she plans to fulfill her duties to her constituents right up until the end of her term in mid-April 2013.
McIntyre would not speculate on who may be next in line for the Liberal nomination in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, saying it's not her announcement to make. She did, however, say a number of potential candidates have expressed interest to her and to the constituency office and that, hopefully, the new candidate would be announced by Christmas.
"My best advice [to them] is to really get right in there and roll up your sleeves and do a lot of listening," McIntyre said, "because all of the communities are very different."
The West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding comprises six different mayors and councils including Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, as well as a number of smaller communities and First Nations governments.
West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Liberal constituency member Dave Davenport will now chair the search committee tasked with finding a new Liberal candidate before the May 2013 election, McIntyre said.
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