Photo: Contributed

British Columbia MLA Pat Pimm is retiring, but the Peace River North politician won't be leaving the legislature for a while.

Pimm has announced he will not seek re-election when voters go to the polls in 2017.

The 58-year-old says he will continue to advocate for his northeastern B.C. constituency until then.

Pimm was first elected in 2009, was re-elected in the 2013 general election and promoted to the front benches as agriculture minister, but had to leave the post to focus on his battle with colon cancer, although he remained an MLA.

In a statement, Premier Christy Clark thanks Pimm for his hard work and commitment, noting he fought cancer into remission in the same tenacious way he handled all his elected duties.

Clark says she understands and respects Pimm's decision not to run again, but will be sorry to see him go.