The B.C. Liberals are trying to spin an exodus of MLAs as an opportunity to rebuild, while most observers and critics are calling the governing party a sinking ship.
On Thursday morning, the B.C. Liberal party released a statement touting 11 MLAs who will be returning to run in the May provincial election, including Pat Bell and Shirley Bond.
But the party lost Finance Minister Kevin Falcon on Wednesday with three are set to resign on Thursday.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark said on Wednesday she expects more resignations and is preparing a cabinet shuffle next week to fill the empty positions, reported the CBC.
She had asked her MLAs to announce their plans by the end of the summer. By the end of Thursday, 10 Liberal members won’t be campaigning in May. But Clark downplayed the departures and played up the “bench strength” in her caucus, reported the Times Colonist.
“This is an opportunity for renewal,” she said on Wednesday. “We need to go into the next election campaign with a new team."
Observers are alternately characterizing the exits as leaping off a sinking vessel, crumbling like a house of cards, and joining a conga line.
"Better make some more room in that Liberal lifeboat, Kevin Falcon!," wrote Province columnist Mike Smyth. "Now that the SS Liberal has hit the iceberg and is slowly sinking, it looks like cabinet minister George Abbott will be the next to abandon ship."
Here are some of your online reactions:
Departing B.C. MLAs Not Running In 2013 Election
Ron Cantelon(01 of22)
Open Image ModalThe MLA for Parksville-Qualicum was re-elected in 2009 and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Technology in September 2012. (credit:Facebook)
John Slater(02 of22)
Open Image ModalBlair Lekstrom(03 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Peace River South was first elected in 2001. Since 2011, he has served as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Colin Hansen(04 of22)
Open Image ModalThe MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena was elected in 1996, 2001, 2005 and 2009. (credit:B.C. Liberal website)
George Abbott(05 of22)
Open Image ModalRob Howard(06 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Richmond Centre was elected in 2009. He cited "personal reasons" for not running again. (credit:Handout)
John Les(07 of22)
Open Image ModalMary McNeil(08 of22)
Open Image ModalKevin Falcon(09 of22)
Open Image ModalDave Hayer(10 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Surrey-Tynehead was first elected in 2001. He served on the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. (credit:Dave Hayer's MLA website)
Joan McIntyre(11 of22)
Open Image ModalHarry Bloy(12 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed was first elected in 2001. He was the only member of the B.C. Liberal caucus to support Christy Clark's bid for the party leadership. He served as Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism. (credit:B.C. Liberals website)
Kash Heed(13 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview was first elected in 2009. He served as minister of public safety and solicitor general. (credit:B.C. Liberals website)
Murray Coell(14 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Saanich North and the Islands was first elected in 2001. He has headed the ministries of labour, environment and advanced education. (credit:Murray Coell's MLA website)
Kevin Krueger(15 of22)
Open Image ModalThe Liberal MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson was first elected in 1996. He served as Minister of State for Mining, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister of Community Development. (credit:Kevin Krueger's B.C. Liberals website)
Bill Barisoff(16 of22)
Open Image ModalGary Coons(17 of22)
Open Image ModalThe North Coast NDP MLA was first elected in 2005, and again in 2009. (credit:Handout)
Dawn Black(18 of22)
Open Image ModalThe NDP MLA of New Westminster was elected in 2009.
Michael Sather(19 of22)
Open Image ModalThe NDP MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows was elected in 2005 and 2009. He was the Opposition critic for fisheries. (credit:Vimeo)
Randy Hawes(20 of22)
Open Image ModalThe MLA for Abbotsford-Mission was first elected in 2001, and again in the 2005 and 2009 elections. (credit:B.C. Liberal website)
Diane Thorne(21 of22)
Open Image ModalThe NDP MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville was elected in 2005 and again in 2009. She was the deputy opposition critic for education. (credit:Vimeo)
Guy Gentner(22 of22)
Open Image ModalThe NDP MLA for Delta North was elected in 2005 and 2009. (credit:B.C. Legislature)