She has been fighting for B.C.’s families for more than two decades.
Now, she’s fighting for hers.
Veteran Surrey New Democrat MLA Sue Hammell is retiring from public life this spring after serving five terms in office to spend more time with her husband John Pollard, whom she said is “quite ill.”
The couple have been married for 37 years.
Hammell, a former cabinet minister, said it’s been her “incredible privilege” to serve the constituents of Surrey-Green Timbers over the past 20 years.
“I’m going to miss it,” she said. “I love the job. However, my husband’s recent serious illness means I must devote more time to my family.”
Hammell served as executive assistant to former mayor Bob Bose before being first elected as a Surrey NDP MLA in 1991.
Re-elected in 1996, 2005, 2009 and 2013, Hammell served in many roles in both government and opposition, among them minister of housing, recreation and consumer services, minister responsible for co-operatives and the minister of women’s equality. She has most recently served as the official opposition critic for mental health and substance abuse.
Meantime, she will finish her term into the May 9 general election and intends to campaign for the NDP.
We respect Hammell for making what must have been a difficult decision and would like to thank her for her years of service to Surrey.
And our thoughts are with Sue and her husband John as they fight his illness together.
The Now