Robert Filmer will not pursue another term as Qualicum Beach councillor in the coming municipal elections on Oct. 15.
Filmer made the announcement at the town’s regular council meeting on July 20.
The 24-year-old indicated he made a decision to leave politics last year in order to focus more on his career in aviation.
“I will not be running again for re-election,” Filmer told council. “It’s a very hard decision obviously. You all know, the five of us, it’s not an easy discussion whether to run again and or not run. But I’ve long said that politics is not a career. I think that everybody at all levels should look at that. It is an opportunity. It is a great opportunity but it should not be a career. Because that’s when you get stagnant and changes don’t happen. My aviation career has literally taken off and I know my family would be very upset if I delay that any longer.”
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Filmer said during his term as a member of council he is proud of the positive changes made during the last four years.
“Public service at any level of government is not easy,” said Filmer. “It’s full of sacrifice. It’s full of compromises. And it is full of missed opportunities. However, it is also probably the most rewarding job that anyone would ever hold. I can walk around this town and I get to see the many changes that I’ve helped make. You get to see it first hand. I will be able to come back here in 20 years and say ‘I helped with that and my name’s on that.’”
One of the many things Filmer, an openly gay person, is proud of is his big push for inclusivity.
“And although I would take most of the credit for that, this council was a big supporter of that, in making our town more open and more welcoming,” said Filmer.
Filmer was only 20 years old when he was voted in as councillor. It’s a job, he said, that has had a big impact on his life.
“It has changed my life in more ways that I can ever imagine,” said Filmer. “And for that I have to thank the residents of the town. All of them, whether you voted for me or not. You know you have helped built something that has been very special. Huge thank you to obviously my colleagues here at this table for putting up with a 24-year-old or 20-year-old in the last four years. And a huge, huge thank you to staff.”