British Columbia's premier and opposition leader each bid farewell to the provincial legislature Thursday, as the governing Liberals prepare to replace Premier Gordon Campbell next week and the NDP look to do the same in the spring.
It was Campbell's final day in the legislature as premier. The party picks a successor in a leadership vote next weekend.
Campbell, who became premier in 2001 when his Liberals took power from the previous NDP government, told his colleagues that serving in the legislature has been an exceptional gift.
"You can't find a better opportunity, you can't find a better place to live, you can't find a better thing to do than to serve in public life," Campbell said during his lengthy farewell speech.
"People have said to me, 'Is it fun? Are you having a good time?' And I've said to them, 'Honestly, not so much,"' Campbell added, prompting laughter from his fellow legislators.
"But I'll tell you this: it is rewarding."
Campbell also paid tribute to Carole James, who, as Opposition leader, has been fiercely critical of the Liberal government over the years. James resigned as NDP leader last December, about a month after Campbell, in the face of an ugly public revolt within her caucus
"It's a contribution we can all reflect on, we can all respect," Campbell said of James.
He then quipped: "And although I wish she hadn't done quite as good a job of restoring the NDP, what can you do?"
When James became NDP leader in 2003, the party had just two seats in the house. Today, they hold 34 of the legislature's 85 seats.
James, who elected to the legislature in the 2005 provincial election also addressed the house, also delivered a speech looking back at her time in politics.
"Now, I was going to say that I've loved every minute of it, but I didn't think anyone in this house would probably appreciate that or understand it or believe it," said James.
"But I would say that I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. It is an extraordinary privilege."
James also paid tribute to her longtime political adversary, thanking Campbell for his years of public service.
"I don't know anyone who would question the kind of commitment you had to improve British Columbia," said James. "And so, a personal thank you."
The NDP will hold a leadership vote on April 17. Currently, the candidates include caucus members Adrian Dix, Mike Farnworth, John Horgan and Nicholas Simons vying to replace former leader Carole James, along with pot activist Dana Larsen.
The Liberals are scheduled to vote on a new leader -- and a new premier -- next Saturday. There are currently four candidates left in the race: former Liberal cabinet ministers Kevin Falcon, Mike de Jong and Abbott, along with former cabinet minister turned radio host Christy Clark.
