Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

NDP MPs Charlie Angus, Carol Hughes, Rachel Blaney opt against seeking re-election

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Apr, 2024 10:34 AM
  • NDP MPs Charlie Angus, Carol Hughes, Rachel Blaney opt against seeking re-election

NDP MPs Carol Hughes and Rachel Blaney have joined Charlie Angus in deciding that they won't run again in the next federal election.

The federal New Democrats delivered the news in a joint announcement, saying all three want more family time after years of dedicated public service.

Angus, a 20-year veteran of Parliament Hill, confirmed his own plans to leave politics earlier Thursday, saying it's time to pass the baton. 

"One political era is ending, and another begins," he said in a statement on Facebook. 

New federal boundary changes also played a role in their decisions. 

Angus's northern Ontario riding of Timmins—James Bay is set to expand, a change Angus says will demand new energy to build relationships with constituents in so many communities.

Hughes, a longtime deputy Speaker who also represents northern Ontario, will see her riding of Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing disappear entirely in the next federal election. 

"I look forward to helping elect that next generation of progressive MPs, but it’s time for me to start planning on spending more time with my family," Hughes said in a statement. 

Blaney, who serves as party whip, said it's time for her to also focus on her family and stay closer to home, describing it as "an incredibly difficult decision to step away from politics."

"It’s been an honour to serve British Columbians over the past nine years, and I’ll continue to fight for them until the next election," she said.

In a statement, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh thanked all three for their years of advocacy and their contributions to the party.

Nearly a quarter of the NDP's caucus have announced they are set to step down, or have done so already. 

Longtime British Columbia MPs Randall Garrison and Richard Cannings have already announced they don't plan to run again. Winnipeg MP Daniel Blaikie quit his seat to work with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. 

Despite policy gains through a political pact with the minority Liberal government, the NDP has so far struggled to translate its efforts to establish national pharmacare and dental care plans into public support.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, are eyeing NDP seats in British Columbia and northern Ontario by campaigning on affordability and opposing the federal price on pollution, arguing it is driving up the cost of goods for Canadians. 

MORE National ARTICLES

'Enhanced masking' coming in health-care:Dix

'Enhanced masking' coming in health-care:Dix
Dix says the province has previously stated it would expect "enhanced masking" in health-care settings for the respiratory illness season in the fall but did not say whether the new rules will be mandatory. The minister says ensuring people who are already sick in hospital have the maximum protection possible during the season is important.

'Enhanced masking' coming in health-care:Dix

Delta property seized in drug bust

Delta property seized in drug bust
Delta police say a property valued at more than two-million-dollars has been seized in relation to a large-scale drug investigation. Police say the residence in Delta was transferred to the Province of B-C after the Supreme Court deemed the home as "offence-related property."

Delta property seized in drug bust

Witness of B.C. Sikh leader's shooting says the gunshots sounded like fireworks

Witness of B.C. Sikh leader's shooting says the gunshots sounded like fireworks
The B.C. gurdwara where a Sikh separatist leader was gunned down has launched an investigation into how an American newspaper was able to view security camera footage of the June killing.  Gurkeerat Singh, who said he is a spokesman for the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, said it's unclear how The Washington Post was able to see the video of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death. 

Witness of B.C. Sikh leader's shooting says the gunshots sounded like fireworks

Bylaw change could allow physician assistants to work in B.C. emergency rooms

Bylaw change could allow physician assistants to work in B.C. emergency rooms
The B.C. Ministry of Health says a proposed bylaw change by the body that regulates doctors could allow physician assistants to work in provincial emergency rooms.  The ministry says the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. has moved to make the change, which would require physician assistants to register with the college and work in hospital emergency rooms under doctor supervision.  

Bylaw change could allow physician assistants to work in B.C. emergency rooms

Canadian police denies report claiming delay in Nijjar’s murder probe

Canadian police denies report claiming delay in Nijjar’s murder probe
The clarification from the RCMP's Surrey division came after a Washington Post report said on Monday that at least six people and two vehicles were involved in the murder of Nijjar in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18. Quoting witnesses, the report said that it took between 12 and 20 minutes after the gunshots that police arrived.

Canadian police denies report claiming delay in Nijjar’s murder probe

Poilievre's Tories maintain summer lead over Trudeau's Liberals in September poll

Poilievre's Tories maintain summer lead over Trudeau's Liberals in September poll
The Conservatives have maintained their summer lead in the polls, according to fresh numbers from Leger. Leger has released the findings of an online survey conducted over the weekend with more than 1,600 Canadian respondents.  

Poilievre's Tories maintain summer lead over Trudeau's Liberals in September poll