CLARK’S DEPARTURE RIGHT CALL

Christy Clark’s resignation as B.C. Liberal leader was not a surprise to anyone, although the timing caught some off-guard. She announced her decision Friday, 10 days after NDP Leader John Horgan was sworn in as premier.

While Clark technically won in the May election, the Liberals were left one seat short of majority and were forced from power by an alliance of the NDP and Green party. Her stepping down was only a matter of time.

It was the right thing to do. Her early departure gives a new leader time to make a mark in the House and become well-known to the public. In resigning her seat as MLA for Kelowna West, Clark has cleared the way for someone outside the Liberal caucus to take a run at the leadership. Of course, it also gives the NDP a chance to win the riding in a byelection.

Clark served as premier for six years and four months, longer than any of the five New Democrat premiers who preceded her. In that time, she was steward of the B.C. economy as it became Canada’s leader in growth and job creation. However, while her government reported consecutive operating budget surpluses — the latest a surprising $2.8 billion — total provincial debt continued to mount.

She has been a tireless promoter of B.C. as a place to do business, to invest and to develop projects and her advocacy of the Site C hydroelectric project won her both friends and enemies. Similarly, her government’s approval of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project was applauded by industry and condemned by environmentalists.

Notwithstanding the results of the last election, one of Clark’s greatest strengths was as a campaigner. Smooth even when unscripted with a dazzling smile that rarely left her face, Clark easily won over audiences when they met her in person.

But critics hold her government responsible for deficiencies in health care, education and social services, particularly with regard to poverty and homelessness. They also disapproved of her fundraising activities, at which she excelled.

Clark has given no clue about her future plans but we expect she will not be out of the public eye for long. She clearly enjoyed the limelight.