Lee joins leadership race

Photo: Twitter

Michael Lee joined a crowded race, Tuesday, to replace Christy Clark as leader of the BC Liberals.

Lee is MLA for the riding of Vancouver-Langara.

He said in a news release that his goal is to create affordable, connected communities by increasing the housing supply and investing in transit service and infrastructure.

"It's about using all our strengths, including our abundant resources, our innovative health-care system and our remarkable diversity to create and attract more trade and investment to build the best British Columbia," Lee said.

As many as eight candidates are expected to join the fray by the end of the week.

Earlier Tuesday, former finance minister Mike de Jong announced his bid to lead the party, joining a race that already includes two other past cabinet ministers and the former mayors of B.C.'s two largest cities.

It's his second run at the post. He lost to former premier Christy Clark in 2011.

"By bringing together an expanded and diverse team of new supporters, we can develop an exciting vision for our province’s future that builds upon our record of having established B.C. as Canada’s leading economy," de Jong said in a news release.

Other former ministers in the race are Andrew Wilkinson and Mike Bernier, who both announced their candidacies Monday.

Conservative MP Dianne Watts, well known in the Metro Vancouver area as a multi-term former mayor of Surrey, entered the race Sunday, and backbencher Sam Sullivan, a former Vancouver mayor, announced his bid last week, as did Terrace businesswoman Lucy Sager.

Former transportation minister Todd Stone has also indicated he's seriously considering entering the race.