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The Liberal MLA for Kelowna Mission has announced this will be his last term, but he's not retiring. At least not yet. Steve Thomson wanted to clarify that his plans not to seek a fourth term, don't mean he's finished. There could be as many as 18 months remaining in his mandate and he plans to work hard until the end. And as we heard in our interview here at KelownaNow, it doesn't stop there either.
The decision to make this term his last wasn't an easy one for Steve Thomson. Not by a long shot. "Tears didn't flow when I made the announcement," he said, "but I was choking up a little bit."
Thomson was first elected in 2009 and would be re-elected in 2013 and again in 2017. But after a health scare led to heart surgery early this year, he came to the decision.
"For me, it was the right decision in my heart and the right decision timing-wise," he said. He's happy to give his BC Liberal Party a chance to select a good nominee without a big rush. And he vows to be around to support whoever his party nominates to be his successor. "...to work with whoever comes forward in the process to provide the advice that I can," Thomson said. He wouldn't give us a list, but he said there are some qualified candidates emerging who are interested in seeking the nomination, so he's confident there will be good choices for the party.
Thomson, who was once the General Manager of the BC Fruit Growers Association, served in a few different cabinet portfolios including Forestry, Lands and Natural Resources. And it was in that role that the highlight of his career came together. He was the Minister responsible for the signing of the Great Bear Rain Forest Agreement. It was an agreement that came together after long and difficult negotiations that took years to resolve.
"To be there and table that legislation and stand with industry, environmental organizations and First Nations and announce the agreement was a really proud moment."
When the dust settles after the next election, Thomson and his wife have plans to travel, but his connection to the community is strong. So he plans to be active here. In what capacity? We'll have to wait and see.
"I think there will be lots of opportunities to continue to contribute to the community in some way beyond being an MLA."
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