Hill considering retirement

February 24, 2010

Area MP mulls ending 17-year run in politics

Prince George Citizen - Long-time Prince George-Peace River-MP Jay Hill is considering stepping down.

Hill, who turned 57 in late December, confirmed as accurate Tuesday a story in the National Post that he is thinking of retiring from a 17-year run in federal politics, a day after Kootenay Columbia MP Jim Abbott announced he will not contest the next election.

“I’m considering my options, I’m soliciting advise from those that I respect and I think that given the nature of minority parliaments and my longevity as a member of parliament, the responsible thing to do is to consider where I’m at with my career and my life,” said Hill, who is also the Government House Leader.

Like Hill, Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris has also been an MP since 1993, but said he has no intention of stepping down.

“I’m running again, absolutely,” he said. “I’m still healthy and I love the work and I’ve got over a hundred thousand constituents in my riding that I think I’ve been looking after pretty good for the last many years.”

Harris turned 65 years old in early September, “but I feel about 45,” and attributed that to following a healthy lifestyle for close to 10 years. Hill’s comments about news that Abbott is retiring came as a bit of a shock to Harris, who said he’s been on the road for the last few days and not following the news as closely.

“Everyone takes a look at their life and their health and everything,” he said. “I’m assuming Jay’s in good health, he looks like he’s healthy, and so everyone makes their own decision.”

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Hill can look forward to a pension of $142,637 a year while Harris is in line for $118,668.