Doug Routley has more than a year to get used to the idea of not being an MLA anymore.
Routley, 62, the New Democratic Party MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, has announced he wonB次元官网网址檛 be seeking reelection in the next provincial election on Oct. 19, 2024. Barring an early election call that seems unlikely, that time will mark nearly 20 years since Routley was first elected as an MLA for the Cowichan-Ladysmith riding in 2005.
He was subsequently reelected as MLA in the revamped Nanaimo-North Cowichan riding four more times in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020. The ridings have since been redrawn again and the boundaries of RoutleyB次元官网网址檚 current constituency will be changed.
Looking ahead to 2024, he decided it was time to retire in consultation with his partner of 15 years Leanne Finlayson, whoB次元官网网址檚 active in politics herself as the constituency assistant for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford NDP MP Alistair MacGregor. Finlayson intends to keep working.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always been a team effort with us,B次元官网网址� said Routley. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 involved with the NDP more than I am B次元官网网址� on the federal level. She understands the politics of it but also the issues. WeB次元官网网址檝e always been a team that way.
B次元官网网址淎fter 20 years in politics, if we wander around the valley, she knows more people than I do,B次元官网网址� he laughed.
Routley added a pending retirement for him has been a frequent topic of discussion between them in recent years.
B次元官网网址淚n 2020, it was a question then,B次元官网网址� he indicated. B次元官网网址淏ecause it was a shorter three-year period (in 2017) it was easier to look at a four-year period.B次元官网网址�
But going into another election next year and being 67 years old at the end of that term, Routley looked at the situation differently.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like IB次元官网网址檝e had my time at it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 time for someone else.B次元官网网址�
Another consideration in making a decision now is B次元官网网址測ou have to give the party a chance to select a new candidate,B次元官网网址� Routley explained.
Health conditions have also factored into his decision to depart next year. HeB次元官网网址檚 been affected by arrhythmia from birth and had a pacemaker installed about 10 years ago.
Stress can exacerbate it at any time, although B次元官网网址渦nless itB次元官网网址檚 actually happening, IB次元官网网址檓 without any symptoms,B次元官网网址� Routley pointed out.
The hardest part of leaving when the time comes is B次元官网网址淚 still enjoy working with people in the community and getting things done,B次元官网网址� he said.
After previously serving as a school trustee for half a term (two years) in the Cowichan School District, Routley was 44 when he first assumed a place in the legislature.
B次元官网网址淚n some ways, it seems like itB次元官网网址檚 whipped by,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚n other ways, it seems like itB次元官网网址檚 been a long time.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to be connected to the community and even witnessing what people are doing in the community. People work together and get amazing things done.B次元官网网址�
Many experiences stand out for Routley, but also political comrades and opponents since heB次元官网网址檚 served both in opposition and in the majority government.
B次元官网网址淪ome of my best friends are on the other side,B次元官网网址� he conceded.
Routley has developed an admiration for other politicians like Shirley Bond, who served as interim leader of the BC Liberal Party from 2020 to 2022, and as the leader of the opposition.
The last election in 2020 brought that bond with other politicians more clearly into focus, with Ladysmith Councillor Duck Paterson running under the BC Liberal banner.
B次元官网网址淗ow do you run against somebody you love?B次元官网网址� pondered Routley. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a great guy.B次元官网网址�
But thatB次元官网网址檚 politics and heB次元官网网址檚 learned to deal with not making things personal in those situations.
B次元官网网址淎s I leave it, I know IB次元官网网址檝e contributed to the partisan melee at times and I also see things have shuffled to extreme positions out there,B次元官网网址� Routley confided. B次元官网网址淚 worry about that.
B次元官网网址淧eople, in order to get anything done, they really need to work together.B次元官网网址�
Routley never served in a cabinet position, but that hasnB次元官网网址檛 concerned him. B次元官网网址淗onestly, I enjoy being a parliamentary secretary,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淣obody votes for you in Victoria. They vote for you here. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the most important thing to remember.B次元官网网址�
Routley is the Parliamentary Secretary for Forests. He has served as the opposition spokesman for Citizen Services, deputy spokesman for Forests B次元官网网址� Forest Futures, opposition critic for skills training, convener for the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, a member of numerous Select Standing Committees and last year as the chair of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act.
B次元官网网址淭he biggest shift in politics I think IB次元官网网址檝e seen, itB次元官网网址檚 the strides B.C.B次元官网网址檚 making on reconciliation B次元官网网址� just coming to terms with an under-leveraged asset in our entire province,B次元官网网址� Routley pointed out.
HeB次元官网网址檚 impressed with the young leaders whoB次元官网网址檝e emerged from First Nations communities.
As he looks around at the NDPB次元官网网址檚 current representation, Routley has found himself among its most senior half dozen members.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a few of us in caucus who have been here a while and a few new members,B次元官网网址� he pointed out. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e all been in this mentoring role.B次元官网网址�
Upon retirement, Routley intends to spend more time on his model railroading hobby and get back into cycling that has long been a passion.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e enjoyed being close to the important issues of B.C., knowing on a personal level who the people are and how an issue is playing out,B次元官网网址� he summed up.
