B.C. Premier Christy Clark held a press conference on Aug. 29 to speak to the departure of Finance Minister Kevin Falcon.
Clark praised Falcon for his work over the last 12 years as transportation minister, health minister and in her administration as finance minister.
“He took his job and did what British Columbians expected from him. He made sure that our province remained a safe harbour for investments, a place that can create jobs for families in some of the toughest economic times we’ve seen internationally, so I really want to thank him for that cause he’s put our province on the right track,” Clark told reporters.
She said Falcon will be leaving government in order to focus on his family life. He is expecting his second child.
“His decision was a family decision,” Clark said. “It’s a tough calling in politics when you are trying to think about how you’re going to look after your family.”
Clark also spoke to the reshuffling of the BC Liberal Party cabinet and caucus, which is to be announced sometime this week.
“We need to go into the new election campaign with a new team. We need to balance the core of experience that we have which I think deserves to be re-elected given the great fundamentals we have in our province.”
Other members of cabinet who will not seek re-election include George Abbott, education minister, Mary McNeil, children and family development minister and John Les, Chilliwack MLA and parliamentary secretary.
