Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke will not be running in the provincial election next year. Clarke explains her decision.

"Well, I wouldn't say that it's that I don't want to, but I have chosen not to," says Clarke. "It's a big decision. I'm really enjoying my time in the provincial government, especially under the leadership of Minister Stefanson and the portfolio as municipal relations minister. It's certainly a place where I feel very comfortable and I'm enjoying the work. However, four years is a long commitment. Another four years and I'm just not prepared to do that."

She says she's worked for 50 years in the adult world as of this year and would like to take life a little more easily and enjoy her senior years. 

"I have absolutely no plans," continues Clarke. "Sometimes, just to be able to drink an extra cup of coffee in the morning without rushing off to meetings or getting up one day without any particular plans, and just choosing what I do or what I choose not to do is a luxury I've never had in my life. I've never had a lot of days off. I've never had a lot of vacations and life moves very quickly, I have found. It's just time to take a different pace."

Looking back in her political career, Clarke says there are many highlights. 

"I have a very large collection of photos, probably well over 10,000 and, the memories, I can't begin to count," notes Clarke. "I don't even know how to analyze it. I've had the great opportunity of working with 137 Manitoba municipalities, for sure, Also, First Nations and Métis people of Manitoba, the Inuit... And during COVID, I added to that list working with all Hutterite colonies in Manitoba. So, I just feel that I've had a very broad political career and happy to leave when I'm feeling well. I feel like I have accomplished more than I ever set out to do. It just seems like a really good time to say thank you to Manitoba and see what's next." 

Clarke adds she knows she's going to miss the role, noting she enjoys a busy life. 

"I enjoy what I do, but it's not always healthy," continues Clarke. "I've come to realize that as well, so it's hard to quit or walk away from something that you really enjoy. Unfortunately, it's not like some occupations where you can go to halftime or that type of thing. It's either you are an MLA or you aren't an MLA. It is difficult and I know there's going to be lots of days I'd just love to go back, but there comes a time when this decision has to be made, and I just feel that this is the best time."

She says we live in a great province and we have come through some very, very difficult times during COVID-19.

"To live through that through a political lens has been really an education,"  notes Clarke. "It's pushed me to levels of patience that I never knew existed. But you know, I've had some great opportunities and I've had some fantastic opportunities. So, I'm just really grateful for all of that. Not everybody gets to live that type of life and I feel very blessed." 

The provincial election takes place in 2023