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

Trudeau apologizes for presence, recognition of Nazi unit war veteran in Parliament

Trudeau apologizes for presence, recognition of Nazi unit war veteran in Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is apologizing for Parliament's recognition of a man who fought alongside the Nazis in the Second World War during last week's address by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He made the brief statement without taking questions before entering the House of Commons, where Trudeau says he plans to offer Parliament's "unreserved apologies" for what unfolded during Zelenskyy's visit.

Trudeau apologizes for presence, recognition of Nazi unit war veteran in Parliament

Delta Police need help in investigation

Delta Police need help in investigation
Police in Delta are asking for the public's help in their investigation into a crash between motorcycle and white sedan on Sunday. They say the 17-year-old motorcyclist had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.   

Delta Police need help in investigation

IHIT identifies victim

IHIT identifies victim
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is identifying the victim in what it has classified as a suspicious death. It says a 58-year-old man was found with serious injuries on Klein Lake Forest Service Road in Egmont on Saturday and while first responders provided first aid, he died of his injuries.

IHIT identifies victim

Gurdwaras call for public inquiry in Nijjar's death

Gurdwaras call for public inquiry in Nijjar's death
The councils say it is clear, based on public reports, that intelligence agencies were aware of the threat to Nijjar's life, which --quote-- "suggests a concerning failure of Canada's security agencies to prevent a foreseeable violent crime and gives rise to wider concerns within the community."

Gurdwaras call for public inquiry in Nijjar's death

Immigration drives massive Canadian population increase: StatCan

Immigration drives massive Canadian population increase: StatCan
Statistics Canada says immigration is almost solely responsible for the largest annual population boom Canada has seen since 1957. The newly released data shows Canada's population grew by more than a million people between from July 2022 to July 2023, which represents an increase of about three per cent. 

Immigration drives massive Canadian population increase: StatCan

B.C. sets housing targets for 10 municipalities, urges immediate federal support

B.C. sets housing targets for 10 municipalities, urges immediate federal support
The British Columbia government has set out its first set of targets for thousands of new homes to be built in 10 cities or municipalities in an effort to chip away at the provincial housing crisis. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced Tuesday the communities, located mostly within the Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria regions, will have five years to deliver on the new housing-unit goals set out in the plan.

B.C. sets housing targets for 10 municipalities, urges immediate federal support