MLA Mitchelson calls it a career

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This article was published 18/10/2014 (4186 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thirty years is enough for River East Progressive Conservative MLA Bonnie Mitchelson.

That will be the length of time she will have served in public office by the time of the next provincial election in 2016, a stretch that’s already earned her the distinction of being Manitoba’s longest-serving female MLA.

“It’s time to pass the torch,” Mitchelson said Friday, surrounded by her family and PC Leader Brian Pallister.

“I really think that there needs to be some new blood and opportunity for someone new to take over the reins in River East and be part of a dynamic team that really can make positive change for Manitoba.”

Mitchelson, 66, was first elected in 1986 and served in the cabinet of former premier Gary Filmon, holding several portfolios, including family services from 1993-99. Filmon was one of many former PC MLAs on hand for a private reception following Mitchelson’s announcement.

Mitchelson, who was elected eight consecutive times, said the decision to retire was difficult, but made in consultation with her husband of 45 years, Don, and two adult children.

“It’s not an easy life to be the family of a politician,” an emotional Mitchelson said. “But they’ve stuck with me. They’ve been here for me. It does take a family to make this happen and to make this a career.”

She said she’s also stepping aside to travel with her husband, spend time with her two grandchildren and work as a volunteer.

“I want to be able to enjoy that life after politics before I’m too old to enjoy it,” Mitchelson said.

A nomination date for the PCs to pick Mitchelson’s successor has not been set.

She also made no apologies for the Tories’ last term in office in the 1990s before being deposed by the NDP in 1999. The era was marked by a recession and government belt-tightening at all levels while dealing with the pressure of maintaining services to those most in need, she said.

“I think we accomplished that to the very best of our abilities with the resources that we had,” she said.

Mitchelson is the third female MLA from the PC caucus to step down since Pallister was elected leader in 2012.

Former Morris MLA Mavis Taillieu resigned in February 2013 after 10 years in office, and Riding Mountain MLA Leanne Rowat said last month she would not seek re-election. Rowat was first elected in 2003. Agassiz MLA Stu Briese also gave notice in June he would not be running again.

To date, no NDP MLAs have signalled they plan to step aside.

Pallister said he recognizes the party is under the gun to recruit more female candidates during the next year.

“That inclusiveness is a big part of how I want our party to be thought of and described,” he said, adding the PCs have had three meetings with women in an effort to get more women engaged. The party’s annual general meeting next month will also address the issue.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca