British Columbia Finance Minister resigns, announces retirement

Vancouver - British Columbia Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced that he is stepping down from his position and will retire from the public sector. Falcon will stay on as a backbench Member of the Legislative Assembly.

For Surrey-Cloverdale voters, don’t expect to see Kevin Falcon’s name on the ballot. Speaking at a Vancouver press conference Wednesday, the 11-year civil servant announced his resignation as British Columbia’s deputy premier and finance minister and will not seek re-election. The former Minister of Transportation stated that he is retiring from the public sector after 12 years for both “personal and practical reasons.” Falcon and his wife are expecting a child in February and stated that he doesn’t want to undergo stress and pressure the same month he must deliver a provincial budget. “After almost 12 years in public life, I wish to return to the private sector in a yet to be determined role. I feel enormously blessed and privileged to have served the constituents of Surrey-Cloverdale for almost 12 years,” said Falcon in a statement. “I think it’s very important for the premier to have a minister of finance who, throughout the fall, is putting together an administrative agenda that they are prepared to fight for during an election.” Falcon was first elected in 2001 and has served in five different cabinet posts. He was re-elected in 2005 and 2009. The Liberal MLA came in second in the Liberal leadership race and was appointed deputy premier and finance minister. This news comes as other Liberal MLAs announced they won’t run for re-election, including Bill Barisoff, Harry Bloy, Murray Coell, Dave Hayer, Kash Heed and Kevin Krueger. Talk has also been rampant that BC Health Minister George Abbott may step down as well. “I have not made a final decision on that but I will not be keeping you in suspense for long,” Abbot said in an interview with CTV News. “I'm hoping to announce a decision in that regard in the immediate days ahead.” BC is scheduled to hold its 40th general election on May 14, 2013.