Preston MLA Angela Simmonds to step down from post

Preston MLA Angela Simmonds, an MLA who made history as the first African Nova Scotian woman to serve as Deputy Speaker, is leaving her post and politics.

Simmonds made the announcement in a news release Wednesday afternoon, noting her resignation will take effect on April 1.

“For me, this decision is necessary to stretch out the legacy of changemakers, lifting up new voices while also preserving my own,” Simmonds said in the release.

“I think that there’s a lot of eager changemakers ready to leave a legacy,” said Simmonds. “I am ready to serve my community and the province outside of the walls of politics and see what’s next.”