Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore says she has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and is temporarily stepping away from her ministerial duties while she undergoes treatment and recovery.
The Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA said the diagnosis, which came in late November, “was very sudden” and she is working with medical professionals to address next steps immediately.
“I’m committed to beating this cancer and getting back to work for British Columbians as soon as I can,” Lore said.
Coquitlam-Burke MLA Jodie Wickens, minister of state for child care and children and youth with support needs, will step in while Lore is away.
Lore’s diagnosis comes as the B.C. NDP government, with its razor-thin majority, plans to return to the legislature with the throne speech on Feb. 18. The provincial budget is scheduled for March 4 and the spring session ends May 29.
Lore said she will make herself available for all important votes to ensure the stability of the government and has told the premier she expects a six-month treatment and recovery period.
If she is absent, there will be just 46 NDP MLAs voting rather than 47, threatening the government’s majority. The Conservatives hold 44 seats and the Greens hold two.
Premier David Eby, in an at times emotional address from his office in the B.C. legislature on Thursday, said Lore is an inspiration and very strong.
“She’s going to take this on just as she’s taken on some of the most challenging issues she’s had to face in our government,’ Eby said.
Lore, 39, holds a PhD in political studies from the University of B.C. and taught at the University of Victoria prior to first being elected in 2020. She was appointed minister of Children and Family Development in January, and again after the October election.
“This is obviously a really hard time for Grace and her family, this is very fresh [for] her husband Rob and her two beautiful kids [Eve and Asher] who just found out in the last 24 hours that their mom is quite ill,” Eby said.
“Her family has been through a lot,” Eby said, referring to Lore’s son Asher who was diagnosised with a brain tumour several years ago, but is now “stronger than ever.”
Also, Lore, an active runner and cyclist, recently lost a very close friend, Lise Bérubé, 42, a mother and wife who died in July after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.
Lore ran marathons alongside Bérubé to support her fundraising campaign Move Because you Can to support the Callanish Society of 91原创, which helps people with cancer.
Eby said moments like this — when a colleague with a young family that depends on her is very ill and facing great uncertainty — puts government and all its important business in perspective.
As for Lore’s treatment and recovery period, Eby said, “She’s committed, at this point, she’ll be there for all the important votes and also we’re working with other MLAs in the House to make sure the legislature works regardless — so she can take the time she needs to get well and support her family and be there for them.”
The B.C. Greens are in discussions with the B.C. NDP to potentially prop them up and ensure the NDP retain power in case of a close vote.
Lore won her seat in 2020 after Carole James, former NDP deputy premier, stepped down after 15 years as the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill due to illness. Lore kept her seat in the October provincial election after being challenged by Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau.
In a statement, Green House leader and Saanich North and the Islands MLA Rob Botterell said the B.C. Green caucus is wishing Lore “strength and healing in the days ahead.”
“Facing a cancer diagnosis is an immense challenge, and we respect her decision to prioritize her health,” he said.
B.C. Conservative Party Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford said in a social media post that he’s known Lore a long time and is comforted knowing “she’ll never back down from a fight and she is surrounded by an amazing family.
“Looking forward to seeing her back in the legislature.”
