Shirley Bond reflects on her time in office
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
When she looks back on her time serving the Robson Valley, former MLA Shirley Bond will remember participating in the Dunster ice cream social annually, gazing skyward at the foot of Mount Robson, and visiting Cranberry Marsh with her late husband, Bill – but above all, she’ll remember the people who call the Valley home.
“It was an unbelievable honour to serve the people of Prince George-Valemount for as long as I was able to,” Bond told The Goat in an interview last Tuesday. “I have a heart full of gratitude for the people that I’ve met. I will always love and care for not only the Robson Valley region, but the people who live there.”
First elected in 2001, Bond’s roughly 23-year career as MLA came to an end when the Legislative Assembly dissolved on September 21st. While she had initially planned on running for re-election, she decided to withdraw her candidacy after BC United leader Kevin Falcon announced the party was suspending its campaign for this election cycle.
“The job is about being fierce [for your constituents]. It’s not good enough to go to Victoria and bring their messages back to the riding – it’s all about taking the concerns and the issues that matter to the people who elected them to Victoria.” -Shirley Bond
Aside from expressing gratitude for the support of residents throughout the Robson Valley, Bond had some parting words of wisdom for whoever is elected in her place.
“I hope I’ve left a legacy of service that demonstrates you can’t spend all your time in Prince George and hope to understand the issues in Dome Creek, Dunster, Valemount, McBride or Mount Robson,” she said. “You have to be on the ground.”
An MLA’s first duty is to speak up on behalf of their constituents – while that might not always earn friends in Victoria, dedication to one’s riding should come first and foremost, says Bond. She hopes whoever follows in her footsteps appreciates the faith that voters place in them when they cast their ballots.
“The job is about being fierce [for your constituents]. It’s not good enough to go to Victoria and bring their messages back to the riding – it’s all about taking the concerns and the issues that matter to the people who elected them to Victoria,” she said. “That’s not easy to do: it takes a lot of energy and a tireless work ethic to raise the issues in Victoria.”
Affectionately known as the busiest MLA in the province, Bond said it will take time to adjust to a life outside of her career as MLA. While she’s not sure exactly what she’ll do next, she does know one thing for certain: she’ll continue visiting the Robson Valley and other communities throughout the PG-Valemount riding.
“I can assure you that because of the incredible relationships that I’ve developed, I will not be a stranger in the Robson Valley,” she said, recounting the numerous visits she’s made to McBride, Valemount, and Mount Robson-area businesses. “You don’t simply dismiss that when you make a choice to move on to the next steps in your life… these places will always be part of my memories, but also places that I will continue to love to visit.”
“I’m not going to disappear,” she added. “I love this part of British Columbia far too much to simply fade away.”
