Andrew Wilkinson has announced that he has resigned as leader of the BC Liberal party.
Wilkinson held a brief press conference this afternoon and said he would be stepping down as soon as a new leader is selected.
“Leading the BC Liberals has been a great honour, but now it’s time for me to make room for someone else to take over this role,” he said.
Today's announcement ends Wilkinson's nearly-three-year run as the Liberal leader.
He added that he has asked the party president to work with the part executive to immediately determine the timeline for a leadership selection process.
Wilkinson took over in February 2018, replacing Christy Clark, who stepped down when the Liberals lost power in the 2017 election.
He ran against John Horgan and the BC NDP party in the provincial election over the weekend. The BC NDP won a majority government.
Horgan released a statement this afternoon, thanking Wilkinson for his service and dedication to the people of BC while serving as the opposition leader.
"I've done that job, and I've often said it is the toughest job in politics," Horgan said.
"Mr. Wilkinson led the official opposition through a very challenging time for our province. He ran a spirited campaign and I wish him the best in the future."
The Liberals’ membership chair, Nicole Paul, criticized the party’s leadership on Twitter, saying there has been a "lack of willingness to stand up for diversity, inclusion and the values of BC Liberal members — not just the interests of a small group of constituents.’’
Before he was elected in 2013 to represent Vancouver−Quilchena, Wilkinson held senior positions in the provincial government.
He was a deputy minister at Economic Development and served in the same position in the premier’s office, where he was responsible for intergovernmental relations.
Outside of politics, he has worked as a lawyer in Vancouver and was educated and licensed as a physician, working as a doctor in Campbell River, Lillooet and Dease Lake.
With files from the Canadian Press.
