B.C. mental health minister becomes latest cabinet member not to run again

British Columbia's minister of mental health and addictions says she won't seek re-election, joining a string of senior cabinet ministers who are bowing out of provincial politics.

Judy Darcy, who represents New Westminster in the legislature, says in a statement that it's been an ``enormous privilege'' to serve as B.C.'s first-ever minister of mental health and addictions.

She added that she's proud of the way B.C. has worked to tackle both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing overdose crisis.

Before being elected as a New Democrat to represent New Westminster in 2013, Darcy worked for the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

There have been a number of cabinet ministers who recently announced they aren't running again, including Michelle Mungall, minister of jobs, economic development and competitiveness; Forests Minister Doug Donaldson; Shane Simpson, the minister of social development and poverty reduction; and Scott Fraser, Indigenous relations and reconciliation minister.

Finance Minister Carole James announced in March she won't seek re-election for health reasons.