The B.C. NDP’s Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Victoria Grace Lore is temporarily stepping away from her role after being diagnosed with cancer.
“Late last month, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer,” Lore wrote in a statement. “This diagnosis was very sudden, and I am working with medical professionals to address this head on, right away.”
Lore writes the Children and Family Development file is important so she is stepping aside to ensure someone can give it the attention it needs.
“This file is so important and requires the full attention of someone to make the changes we need because kids need us to get it right,” Lore said.
“By stepping back, I will be able to focus solely on my treatment and recovery, so I can get back to doing this work as soon as possible.”
She will be staying on as MLA during the treatment.
“I’m committed to beating this cancer and getting back to work for British Columbians as soon as I can,” she writes.
B.C. Premier David Eby fought back tears while addressing the news, offering support to Lore’s husband and two children. Her diagnosis is not the family’s first battle with cancer – her son Asher survived a brain tumour in 2001, when he was just four years old.
“Grace’s family is one that’s been through a lot,” Eby said. “I mean, politics at the best of times is hard on families.” Eby says Jodie Wickens, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, will serve as the Minister of Children and Family Development in the interim.
