B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor said she will not run for mayor of Vancouver despite the support and encouragement she has received to go after the job.

B.C.'s Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced in November last year she would not run in the next provincial election in 2009.
(CBC)

The timing isn't right because the civic election in November occurs during the remainder of her term as an MLA, Taylor said Monday.

"It really is problematic, the timing, because the civic election happens during my time as a provincial legislator and I didn't feel very comfortable about resigning as an MLA and causing a byelection for the people of Vancouver-Langara," she told CBC News.

Taylor announced in November of last year she would not seek re-election in 2009.

She said she made the mayoral announcement Monday so her supporters and even would-be opponents could carry on.

"I did realize too many other people were in abeyance waiting for me …people who wanted to run with and others who wanted to present themselves as candidates for mayor waiting to see what I would do."

Veteran Vancouver Park Board commissioner Alan DeGenova told CBC News he planned to run alongside Taylor for an independent council seat but now he's not sure what he's going to do.

Taylor's decision also sets the stage for a high-profile contest for an opposition candidate — between Vision Vancouver Councillor Raymond Louie and New Democrat MLA Gregor Robertson.

Louie hinted that there could be a battle for his party's nomination between himself and Robertson.

"Gregor brings a certain strength to the Vision Vancouver brand and I hope he contests for the position," Louie said Monday.