VICTORIA — A former New Democrat cabinet minister who gave what was likely her last speech in the legislature Wednesday, said she was proud of her accomplishments despite working in an institution she called a 'torture chamber.
VICTORIA — A former New Democrat cabinet minister who gave what was likely her last speech in the legislature Wednesday, said she was proud of her accomplishments despite working in an institution she called a"torture chamber."
"There's a lot that I'm proud of, but this journey has been challenging and has come at a significant personal toll," she said."The place felt like a torture chamber. I will not miss the character assassination. The fact is the political environment is cutthroat and dysfunctional." But she said she often ran headlong into bureaucracy that was resistant to change, especially when those bureaucrats encountered a person with an Indigenous perspective.
Premier David Eby said Mark brought her life experience to the legislature and made sure it was part of her work on behalf of the people of B.C.Opposition Liberal house leader Todd Stone said Mark is a trailblazer who has paved the way for more Indigenous people at the legislature.Green house leader Adam Olsen, who is Indigenous, said Mark made the legislature a more welcoming place for all people.
She resigned her tourism, arts, culture and sports cabinet portfolio last September and took a leave, citing health reasons.
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