Clark releases a statement saying she will step down as of Friday August 4th
Christy Clark has made it official, releasing a statement today confirming she will resign as BC Liberal party leader as of August 4th. She will also resign her seat as the MLA for Westside-Kelowna.
Premier John Horgan will have six months to call by-election to fill her vacant seat in the legislature.
Clark says serving as Premier for the past 6 1/2 years has been an honour and a privilege, adding she is proud of her team's accomplishments - listing a strong economy, job creation, helping single parents, and protection of the BC Rainforest as some of the things she is most proud of.
Liberal MLA's are currently attending a caucus retreat in Penticton.
The BC Liberal party executive will meet in the next 28 days to set the rules for the election of a new leader.
Sharon White, Liberal party president, says Clark will be recognized as a truly transformational premier who leaves British Columbia better, stronger, and with greater potential than ever before.
The Liberals won the most seats in the May 9 election, with 43, but they fell one short of a gaining a majority. The NDP with 41 seats and the Greens with three were able to forge an alliance that led to the NDP forming government, ending the Liberals' 16-years in power.