Morris stepping down as Prince George MLA

Prince George-Mackenzie will have a new voice in Victoria as Mike Morris is retiring as MLA.

First elected in 2013, following a 32-year career in the RCMP, the now 70-year-old Morris said it is time to “dial back” from what can be a demanding job.

“I don’t know if I’ve got the fire in my belly for another four years,” he said. “I think I just want to spend a little more time with family, be that granddad that I haven’t been as much as I want to be and get out in the wilderness and trap and fish and hunt and do some gardening.”

Morris said he will remain MLA until the next election is called but chose to announce his intention to step down now to give others a chance to consider whether they would like to run for the B.C. Liberals in his stead.

“Whoever steps into the role - and I’ve had a few people approach me already - really needs to understand exactly the demands of the job. How much time is it going to take, what’s the travel like, what’s your home life like, what’s the workload like,” Morris said.

The governing NDP has until October 2024 to call an election. If they call a snap election, it will be up to B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon to name a candidate but otherwise there will be a vetting process and, if more than one candidate emerges, there will be a nomination race.