Friday March 6, 2020 ~ VICTORIA
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
On Thursday March 5 at the BC Legislature, Finance Minister & Deputy Minister Carole James (MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill) surprised most of her colleagues with an announcement that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She will continue in her current roles through to the next provincial election but will not run for elected office again in 2021.
Her announcement was attended by MLAs from across the aisle, government staffers, press gallery media, and family. It was an emotional moment for all, clearly something that will sear a boundary in time, as in before-Carole’s-news and after.
“You don’t die from Parkinson’s, you die with Parkinson’s,” said James at the podium in the Legislative Library, with several dozen people first awaiting, then shocked and saddened.
James had just delivered Budget 2020 on February 18; she already knew her diagnosis (as received in January). She says she will still tour the province in the coming weeks to sell the new budget.
At one time Carole James was the BC-NDP leader. Under the premiership of John Horgan she has been able to focus on the all-important portfolio of putting the government’s money where its mouth is and steering BC economy and society in new directions, through now three full budgets.
Budget 2020 was a great in-depth work of turning many screws (including higher tax for people in the top 1% income bracket) and bolting down several key areas of life-changing policy for virtually all British Columbians that will roll out over many years, including in child care, housing, health and education.
Premier John Horgan heard the news of Carole James’ diagnosis from her directly, during one of their Tuesday evening pre-cabinet preparation meetings. He was hit hard emotionally at that moment, and did not attend James’ announcement in the Legislative Library yesterday, being afraid he couldn’t handle the moment, he told media.
The B.C. legislature is now on a two-week spring break.
==== A shorter version of this article is published on page 2 in the March 6 to 9, 2020 weekend digest of West Shore Voice News.
=== About Parkinson’s Disease (from the Mayo Clinic):
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, your face may show little or no expression. Your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson’s disease symptoms worsen as the condition progresses over time.
Although Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms. Occasionally, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms.