Thursday December 5, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 2:51 pm | Updated December 6, 2024]
Political news by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Grace Lore, the recently re-elected MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, will be stepping aside from her role as Minister of Children and Family Development.
The reason is a diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
“Colon cancer is a growth of cells that begins in a part of the large intestine called the colon. The colon is the first and longest part of the large intestine.” says The Mayo Clinic. It usually begins as small clumps of cells called polyps that form inside the colon. many treatments can help control it.
Colon cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and medicines, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Still attend for important votes:
Lore will continue as a sitting MLA while also attending to her health needs.
“I intend to participate in important votes in the House, to ensure the stability of our government and make sure we can be delivering on the priorities of British Columbians,” stated Lore in a letter posted in social media this afternoon.
New cabinet gets rolling:
Lore was sworn in as the Minister of Children and Family Development on November 18, 2024 along with the rest of the BC Cabinet under Premier David Eby.
She had served as Minister of MCFD since January 2024, leading up to the BC provincial election in October.
Lore won handily in Victoria-Beacon Hill where BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau had been her major opponent to win that riding.
Wickens stepping up:
Today Eby says that Jodie Wickens, MLA (Coquitlam-Burke Mountain) — who has been serving as Minister of State for Child Care and Children and Youth with Support Needs — will step into the MCFD Minister’s role “on a temporary basis”.
That will, for now, pull Wickens away from her supportive role in the Education and Child Care ministry.
Fragile majority:
As all MLAs already have been assigned a portfolio (one of minister, minister of state, parliamentary secretary, or house/caucus), the new appointment of a Minister for Children and Family Development will need to be a strategic decision on Eby’s part.
The fact that Lore has mentioned she will attend in the House for important votes underscores the fragility of the 47-seat BC NDP majority in the 43rd BC Parliament.
Premier’s comment:
Eby was impressed by Lore’s immediate willingness to take on the MCFD ministry role back in January 2024, something he highlighted in his remarks at Grace Lore’s campaign rally in Victoria on October 16.
Today Premier Eby stated that he is saddened by the news that Grace Lore has been diagnosed with cancer. “She is taking the needed time away from her ministerial role to focus on her cancer treatment and recovery,” said Eby in a statement.
“She has been fully dedicated to the role of Children and Family Development, and we look forward to her being able to return to the role after focusing on her recovery,” said Eby.
“Grace has persevered through immense personal family challenges in recent years, including the illness of her young son. She is an inspiration to me and to people right across the province,” the Premier said.
Comment from the BC Conservatives:
“I’m deeply saddened to hear this,” said BC Conservative Leader John Rustad in social media.
“Both myself and Kim will be keeping Grace and her young family in our thoughts and prayers during this trying time. Cancer is awful and I will never forget how it impacted our family.”
Comment from BC Green Party:
The BC Green Party has issued a statement:
“On behalf of the BC Greens, I want to extend my sincere support to Grace Lore as she faces this difficult and worrisome diagnosis,” said Sonia Furstenau, BC Green Party leader.
“We are all thinking of Grace and her family during this time, and we send our best wishes for her treatment and recovery. We look forward to seeing her back to full health and continuing to serve the people of British Columbia soon,” said Furstenau.
===== RELATED:
- BC NDP caucus executive steering toward 2025 (November 23, 2024)
- Eby’s fulsome NDP cabinet challenged by BC Conservatives but supported by BC Greens (November 20, 2024)
- Eby’s cabinet: tight at the top along with cross-ministry combos (November 19, 2024)
- BC Cabinet for 43rd Parliament appointed on November 18, 2024 (November 18, 2024)
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