Âé¶čAV-West BC United MLA Ben Stewart has decided not to seek re-election.
He was first elected to the Legislature in 2009 and currently serves as the Shadow Minister for Tourism and Trade.
Stewart was also Minister of Citizensâ Services, Minister of Community,Rural Development and Minister of Agriculture when the BC Liberals were in power under Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell.
Stewart was also appointed British Columbiaâs Special Representative in Asia.
âBenâs years of service to our province have been exceptional,â said Kevin Falcon, BC United leader. âHe has made a significant impact on B.C., and we thank him for his dedication and unwavering commitment to his constituents and the people of B.C. over the past 14 years.â
In the 2011 BC Liberal Party leadership election, following Campbellâs resignation, Stewart endorsed Falcon, however, it was Clark who won the leadership.
Clark did not include Stewart in her first cabinet but did appoint him Government Whip.
Barely a month after being re-elected in 2013, Stewart resigned his seat so that Clark, who was defeated in her Vancouver-Point Grey riding, could contest the seat in a by-election.
That same year Clark appointed Stewart as the Special Representative to Asia.
He left the position in 2016 and returned to politics in 2018 following Clarkâs resignation and succeeded her in a Feb. 14 by-election.
In Aug. 2019, Stewart voluntarily stepped back from the Liberal caucus and sat as an independent while Elections B.C. investigated a political contribution to the party.
He was later exonerated by Elections B.C.
Stewart was born and raised in Âé¶čAV and his family owns Quailâs Gate Winery in West Âé¶čAV.
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