B.C. mental health minister not seeking re-election

British Columbia's minister of mental health and addictions says she won't seek re-election, joining a string of senior cabinet ministers who are bowing out of provincial politics.

Judy Darcy, who represents New Westminster in the legislature, says in a statement that it's been an "enormous privilege" to serve as B.C.'s first-ever minister of mental health and addictions.

She added that she's proud of the way B.C. has worked to tackle both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing overdose crisis.

Before being elected as a New Democrat to represent New Westminster in 2013, Darcy worked for the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

There have been a number of cabinet ministers who recently announced they aren't running again, including Michelle Mungall, minister of jobs, economic development and competitiveness; Forests Minister Doug Donaldson; Shane Simpson, the minister of social development and poverty reduction; and Scott Fraser, Indigenous relations and reconciliation minister.

Finance Minister Carole James announced in March she won't seek re-election for health reasons.

There has been speculation that Premier John Horgan is considering calling an early election after he recently said the circumstances have changed since the NDP struck an agreement with the Green caucus three years ago to form a minority government.

The next election is scheduled to be held in October 2021.