Colette Roy Laroche won't run again for mayor in Lac-Mégantic
The 'granite lady' was first elected to lead town in 2002
The long serving mayor of Lac-Mégantic, who became the face of a town in mourning after the deadly train derailment in 2013, says she is leaving municipal politics.
Colette Roy Laroche made the announcement on the town's website Thursday morning. She has been mayor of the town since 2002.
- Special Report: Lac-Mégantic derailment
- Coroner says 47 Lac-Mégantc deaths were 'violent, avoidable'
- TIMELINE | The derailment minute-by-minute
She says she wants to focus on her health and her family and she will not be running in the next municipal elections in November of this year.
Her husband died earlier this year after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Roy Laroche was a prominent figure in the aftermath of the explosion that leveled most of the town's core, killing 47 people.
Two of her cousins were killed in the blast.
Dubbed the "granite lady," she earned the respect of many as she led the town through its grief and lobbied for changes to the way oil is transported by rail through communities like Lac-Mégantic. The town is still rebuilding.
"Projects are underway and I'm convinced that the next council will have great sources of inspiration to rebuild our municipality," Roy Laroche said in a statement.
"More than ever, Lac-Mégantic needs women and men forming a team that is dynamic, competent and visionary."
Citizens of Lac-Mégantic did not vote in a new mayor and council in 2013 when municipal elections were held across Quebec to give the town time to solidify the rebuilding efforts.
Elections in Lac-Mégantic will take place this November.