MLA joins B.C. Liberal leadership race

Legislature member Michael Lee is taking another run at the leadership of the B.C. Liberal party.

Lee, who has represented the riding of Vancouver-Langara since 2017, hopes to succeed former leader Andrew Wilkinson, who resigned after the New Democrats won a majority government in last fall's election.

Lee, a business lawyer, had held his seat in the legislature for less than a year when he ran in the last Liberal leadership contest in 2018, finishing third behind Wilkinson and former Surrey mayor Dianne Watts.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Kevin Falcon announced his leadership bid last month, while Ellis Ross, the Liberal member of the legislature for Skeena, and Gavin Dew, a Vancouver entrepreneur and former Liberal candidate, also say they intend to run.

If Lee wins the leadership vote, he says he will build a broader, more inclusive party and province.

The party is scheduled to announce the winner of its leadership contest on Feb. 5 to replace its interim leader, Shirley Bond.