BC

North Coast New Democrat MLA Gary Coons has announced he won't be running again in the next B.C. election.

Coons joins more than a dozen other members of the legislature, both Liberal and NDP, who have also announced they're giving up politics before voters head to the polls next May.

The two-term MLA says he's honoured to have served his constituents and thanked them for putting their trust in him.

Coons says he's proud to be part of such a dedicated team of New Democrats and is looking forward to seeing the party bring positive change in 2013.

New Democrats Dawn Black of New Westminster and Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Michael Sather have also announced they won't be running.