Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers says he will not be seeking re-election.
Byers made the announcement Tuesday afternoon citing a few of reasons he will not run in the next election currently set for June, 2026.
“I just had my 65 birthday and so kind of did the math and said, ‘if I run again I will be in my 70s,’ which by the way is very young. I found this is a very heavy and challenging job, the hours are long and there is a lot of stress on issues and so that was a factor too. My dear bride Margot has had a few health issues creep in the last year. As we thought about it, we kind of said, ‘it has been a great pleasure and we will continue to work hard, but lets give enough time to allow someone else to be nominated and selected to be the candidate next time,’” says Byers.
He met with the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative Association Monday night to inform them of his decision.
“They will be forming a search committee and be open to receiving names of potential candidates and go from there,” says Byers.
He says the local riding association will work with the representatives of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party to search for a new candidate, which he says usually takes a number of months.
“I have made this announcement now to allow lots of time for that process to happen,” says Byers. “My role really doesn’t change at all, I am still committed to working hard for our communities and getting things done, but that nomination process, I will not be involved. It will start and proceed over the next few months.”
He says he is confident this decision is the right call for the community, and is excited about the next steps of not only continuing his work for the rest of the term, but also see who will step up to the role.
“Government is not easy, there is some challenging issues out there, whether they are healthcare, housing, the economy,” says Byers. “It is work that needs to be done. I am looking forward to continuing that work and assisting whoever steps forward to keep that work going in the future.”
