Important life decisions usually require lengthy, careful thought.

That was the process for Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield before announcing Thursday (May 16) that she would not be running in the next provincial election.

害羞草研究所淭here just comes a time in your life when you have to make the right one for you and your family, and ultimately for my business.害羞草研究所�

When it comes to family, Merrifield added her husband, children, siblings, and parents sacrificed much so that she could fulfill her MLA responsibilities.

害羞草研究所淭hey championed me in this role. When I would get attacked or negative things were said they would all want to jump in and defend. They害羞草研究所檙e impacted by it.害羞草研究所�

Her children are glad to be getting their mom back, she said.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e all been sending text messages saying how proud they are of what I害羞草研究所檝e been able to accomplish in a short amount of time and how I害羞草研究所檝e been able to serve our community.害羞草研究所�

Merrifield said one of the toughest things about not running again is the feeling that there is more to accomplish.

害羞草研究所淚 feel like I害羞草研究所檝e left things undone,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淏ut I害羞草研究所檓 going to continue.害羞草研究所�

While she won害羞草研究所檛 be an elected official after the next provincial election Merrifield said she will continue to serve.

害羞草研究所淏y trying to create as much housing as we can and make sure we fill the needs of our communities.害羞草研究所�

She害羞草研究所檒l do that through Troika Developments, a company she cofounded more than 20 years ago.

害羞草研究所淭roika has been on a tremendous growth trajectory and the leadership team has been extraordinary in holding down the fort and expanding and growing.害羞草研究所�

One thing she won害羞草研究所檛 be doing is crossing the floor to join the BC Conservatives, as former United MLA Bruce Buchanan has done.

害羞草研究所淣ever,害羞草研究所� she said emphatically. 害羞草研究所淪erving as a member of this Legislative Assembly has been one of the greatest honours of my life.害羞草研究所�

Merrifield added she was proud to have helped make a difference on vital issues for British Columbians such as housing, healthcare, mental health, and substance use along with her BC United colleagues.

Merrifield said she is excited about the future of the party and new candidates coming forward.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l tease it a little bit, there is a candidate chosen to replace me.害羞草研究所�

She could not divulge who it is but added the announcement will be made soon.

During her farewell address in the B.C. Legislature Thursday Merrifield left her colleagues with these words:

害羞草研究所淒on害羞草研究所檛 ever stop believing in what can be accomplished or settle for where things are at. You害羞草研究所檙e not Pollyanna or too optimistic or too idealistic. You might not be dreaming big enough.害羞草研究所�

Merrifield was first elected in 2020.

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