A Coquitlam MLA who served as a city councillor and a member of parliament is calling it quits.
Today, May 10, Coquitlam–Burke Mountain NDP MLA Fin Donnelly told the Tri-City News he’s leaving the Legislature after the Oct. 19, 2024, election.
His departure makes two out of four Tri-City incumbents not returning to Victoria.
Earlier this year, Coquitlam–Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson, who is now sitting as an independent after quitting the BC NDP, said she would not seek another term.
Donnelly, who is best known for swimming the Fraser River twice to build awareness about the state of the watercourse, said he’s exiting provincial politics to spend more time with his family.
“It was a very personal decision,” he said.
“I love what I have been doing … but my focus is on my family right now. I had a long discussion with them and I think I’m making the right decision. I’ll be in the community more and closer to home.”
Asked if he will return to a government arena, Donnelly said he may consider it down the road, but not immediately.
“Never say never," he said.
Donnelly formally notified the Legislature on Friday that he would not be seeking re-election.
Elected as MLA in 2020, Donnelly is the parliamentary secretary for watershed restoration.
He was a Coquitlam city councillor from 2002–09 and served as the MP for New Westminster–Coquitlam and Port Moody–Coquitlam from 2009–19.
In Ottawa, he started the all-party Oceans Caucus, a group of MPs and senators advocating for better ocean health.
Donnelly also co-founded the Rivershed Society of BC in 1996.
