EDMONTON – Another long time Tory MLA is calling it quits when the next election is called in the spring.
Iris Evans has was first elected to provincial office in 1997, but told a constituency meeting in Sherwood Park Tuesday night that it was time for her to move on and she will retire.
“I think there’s a time every politician knows it’s time to exit stage left and let someone else assume the stage. I have felt that for some time,” Evans told Global News after the meeting, “I know my family and I have had conversations about this, and it just felt right.”
Evans has served numerous posts in government including as Finance Minister, Children’s Minister and as the Health Minister.
She was dropped from cabinet when Alison Redford took over as Premier. Evans had backed Gary Mar during the PC Leadership campaign.
“On the threshold of getting ready for the nomination, I wanted to give at least a couple of months for those who are thinking of running to get on with it and challenge for the privilege of serving this community.”
This is the second high profile Tory member to announce retirement. Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Lloyd Snelgrove said he will not seek re-election this spring either.
Evans is not sure what she will do after politics but she does want to serve Alberta and spend time “gardening in the summer and skiing in the winter.”
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