An NDP MLA from New Westminster won't be running in May's provincial election due to health reasons.
Chuck Puchmayr announced Sunday he has been diagnosed with liver cancer.
"I have been diagnosed with liver cancer and it has become clear in the past few days that I must dedicate all of my energy in the coming weeks and months to this battle," he said in a statement.
Puchmayr, the Opposition critic for labour, was first elected to the legislature in 2005. He was on New Westminster's city council prior to that for nine years. Puchmayr said he and his staff will continue to serve his constituents until the election.
He is also a founding organizer of the New Westminster food bank and unemployment action centre.
With a file from The Canadian Press.
