One of B.C.'s most colourful and occasionally controversial cabinet ministers has announced that he will end his political career.

Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett, 66, told a crowd in Cranbrook last night that he wants to spend more time with his family, so he won't be running for reelection.

Bennett has been the B.C. Liberal MLA for East Kootenay since 2001. He has previously been the minister of community and rural development also minister of tourism, culture, and the arts.

In early May, auditor general Carol Bellringer released a scathing report about how Bennett's ministry and the Ministry of Environment failed to meet the audit team's expectations for a "robust compliance and enforcement program".

Bellringer noted that "these risks became a reality and disaster occurred when the tailings dam at Mount Polley failed".

The auditor general recommended separating mining compliance from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, but the government has so far refused to do this.

Bennett's East Kootenay constituency is home to several coal mines.

As the minister of ccommunity and rural development, Bennett introduced legislation that took away Metro Vancouver's authority to approve UBC's official community plan, transferring the authority to the provincial government. This came after former UBC president Stephen Toope publicly objected to Metro Vancouver's efforts to curb development on the Point Grey campus.

As the minister responsible for the arts, Bennett maintained a cordial relationship with arts and culture organizations. However, that harmony was ruptured by his successor, Kevin Krueger. He likened the Vancouver arts community's efforts to secure funding to "extortion" akin to a "junkie waving a needle".

Bennett shocked reporters in 2010 with his critical comments about his former boss, Gordon Campbell, after Campbell stepped down as premier.

"He is a very, very intimidating human being," Bennett said. "He does talk to people disrespectfully in caucus."

Bennett also alleged that Campbell once got so angry at him that he accidentally spat on his face.

In 2007, Bennett resigned as the minister of state for mining after he sent an expletive-loaded email to a constituent.