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Bennett announces he won’t seek re-election
By Ian Cobb
e-KNOW
“A warrior” is needed in the Kootenay East, stated British Columbia Premier Christy Clark last night shortly after long-time MLA Bill Bennett announced he will not seek a fifth term in 2017.
Citing a desire to spend more time with his family, Bennett, 66, announced his decision before about 250 party faithful and the BC Liberal government caucus at a gathering at the Royal Alexandria Hall in the Cranbrook History Centre.
The often fiery, controversial, blunt and beloved Bennett has blazed a 16-year arc across B.C. politics of the like few rural MLAs before him have achieved.
Praised by constituents and party members for bringing a steady stream of government funding to his riding – including another $2 million for the East Kootenay Regional Hospital yesterday – Bennett said his path was made easier by being a member of a ruling party his entire 16-year career.
“Ask Norm Macdonald how difficult it is” to find funds when not a member of the ruling party, he said last night. Bennett and Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald (BC NDP) have had some epic encounters in the Legislature and media in the past 12 years but on this night ‘Kootenay Bill’ wasn’t in a fighting mood. He sincerely shook his head and let the crowd know he wasn’t taking a shot at his rival; it seemed more a nod of respect.
And respect was the order of the night, from the Premier lauding Bennett for his service to the riding and province, to cabinet ministers noting their appreciation of his mentorship to party members pointing out how big the shoes are that will need filling before the 2017 election.
Clark said Bennett’s “heart” played a vital role in the stunning 2013 election win, which is why she returned him to the caucus and cabinet.
Bennett has been Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review since June 2013.
He had been out of the cabinet and caucus since November 2010, removed as Energy Minister after he went nose-to-nose with then Premier Gordon Campbell.
Bennett said he believed the party stood a better chance at re-election if the embattled Campbell stepped aside as leader. He admitted last night he could have handled things better, and maintains respect for much of Campbell’s work, but his decision was the right one, noting Clark led the party back to power.
Bennett first entered cabinet in 2005, appointed as Minister of State for Mining. He resigned from this position on February 6, 2007.
In June 2008, he was re-appointed to cabinet as Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.
After being elected a third time in 2009, he was appointed as Minister of Community & Rural Development, before moving back as Energy Minister.
“What Bill has brought to our cabinet, to our caucus, and I have to say for me personally, is an incredible heart. He has never failed to be there. I want you to know how grateful I am of the support he gave me. The support that he gave our BC Liberal team across the province, campaigning in riding after riding; he poured his heart out for Doug Clovechok (2013 and 2017 Columbia River-Revelstoke candidate), in the Kootenays and around British Columbia. He has worked with the heart of a lion,” Clark said Tuesday evening, inspiring thunderous applause.
“The courage; the courage of your convictions. A lion is a creature without fear. Bill is a man who is unafraid to say what he really thinks,” she said, drawing a loud laugh from the crowd.
“That courage he has brought to politics in British Columbia. There are so many people who are cynical about what we do and what we say, about where we want to go and why we do these things. And Bill always brings that clarity – that honest clarity – to the discussion and even if you don’t agree with Bill, you always know he’s going to tell you what he thinks. I believe that people don’t just vote on what politicians say but they vote on whether they think a politician is a character and Bill Bennett is a man of tremendous character,” Clark stated.
He is also one who considers all constituents’ points of view, she continued.
“The waitress’s feelings are just as important as the guy who owns the restaurant she works in; the man who picks the cherries in the orchard is just as important as the farmer who owns the orchard; the guy who builds the dam, who pours the concrete is just as important as the contractor who employs him. British Columbians, no matter who they are, no matter where they work – all of them matter to Bill Bennett.”
Clark said she understands why Bennett is not seeking re-election.
“He loves his family and Beth (his wife) deserves the time,” she said, thanking her for her contributions.
Clark said she is hopeful that a strong race will develop for Bennett’s replacement candidate because “big, big, big shoes” need to be filled.
“Bill has not just been a lion, he has been a warrior. A warrior for mining; a warrior for growth; a warrior for free enterprise; a warrior for the East Kootenay and a warrior for British Columbia and Canada,” she stated. “And in this riding we need another warrior!”
In his 16 years in office, Bennett said he is most proud of the improvements made to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in that time.
He also noted he has enjoyed being front and centre in the Site C Dam file, noting, “Whether you are in favour of it or not, it will provide British Columbians with clean energy for 100 years or more.”
Bennett was first elected in 2001, part of the Gordon Campbell-led Liberal Party expulsion of the long-ruling BC NDP.
He defeated incumbent NDP MLA Erda Walsh, capturing 62% of the vote.
In 2005, Bennett and Walsh went toe-to-toe, as voters remembered that the Kootenay East has been a swing riding, but Bennett returned to Victoria for a second term, with 721 more votes.
In 2009, Bennett stormed back for a third term, defeating NDP candidate Troy Sebastian, with 51.2% of the vote, to Sebastian’s 35.6%.
Finally, Bennett was returned for a riding-best ever fourth term in 2013 – in the election the BC Liberals weren’t supposed to win – with his best-ever vote percentage capture – 63% to NDP candidate Norma Blissett’s 37%.
Lead image: Premier Christy Clark hugs Bill Bennett following her speech last night. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photos
