Murray Rankin says he won’t be seeking another term as NDP MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head in the next provincial election, which is scheduled for fall.
In an announcement Monday morning, Rankin, 74, said “now it is time for me to step aside and allow others to contribute,” adding that it’s been “a true privilege to represent the people of my community over the last dozens of years.”
From 2012 to 2019, Rankin was a Member of Parliament for Victoria, and since 2020 he’s been the MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
He’s also B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, a role in which he says he achieved “the highlight” of his career: overseeing the government’s implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
“I believe that our government’s efforts to achieve reconciliation will be regarded as among its greatest achievements,” said Rankin, who holds a law degree from Harvard Law School.
“With the unwavering support of Premiers Horgan and Eby, we are at last making progress to reverse British Columbia’s colonial past and to address the injustices that Indigenous Peoples have faced for so many years.”
‘Governing is not easy’: Rankin
Rankin says he’s grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Indigenous communities across B.C. and a “talented and diverse” caucus.
“Our government helped navigate the province through the pandemic, as well as through the aftereffects of unprecedented wildfires and flooding,” he said.
Listing off some of his achievements, Rankin added, “I was also honoured to be asked by the Prime Minister to serve as Canada’s first Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency.”
He’s also lauding the province’s premiers, past and present, as well as his office team and his family.
“Governing is not easy, but no one should doubt the dedication and commitment of Premier Eby and his team as we tackle the very real challenges facing British Columbians. I thank both him and Premier Horgan for enabling me to take part in this work,” he said.
“To my family, especially Linda, only you know how much I owe you for your constant support over the last dozen years.”
Since Rankin’s announcement, people have taken to social media, including Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen, who said he’s “sad” to lose a colleague but “so happy for him and his incredible family for what comes next.”
Prior to Rankin, Andrew Weaver was MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head from 2013 to 2020, first as a member of the Green party and then as an independent.
In 2020, Rankin garnered more than 14,000 of the nearly 29,000 votes cast in Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
“And finally, thank you to those residents of Oak Bay, Victoria, and Saanich for putting your faith in me. I am deeply grateful,” he said.
“Until the election is held, I will do my utmost to serve you and the people of British Columbia to the best of my ability.”
B.C.’s provincial general election is happening Oct. 19.
Sharing my announcement: pic.twitter.com/hoZP6j8hUj
— Murray Rankin (@MurrayRankinNDP) June 3, 2024
Ethan Morneau
