Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 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

RCMP investigate Surrey homicide

RCMP investigate Surrey homicide
The Mounties say officers received a report yesterday morning from the Surrey Fire Department about the sudden death of a man inside a home. They say police responding to the call found a 57-year-old man dead and arrested a 42-year-old man at the scene.

RCMP investigate Surrey homicide

2 cars hit 10 year old boy

2 cars hit 10 year old boy
A 10-year-old boy is in hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after being hit by two cars while riding his bike in Nanaimo. Mounties say the initial investigation shows the boy was riding his bike down a steep driveway near Nova Street when he suddenly rode onto Howard Avenue, where he was struck by a southbound vehicle, followed by another collision with a northbound vehicle.

2 cars hit 10 year old boy

Chief of small Okanagan, B.C., brigade says 13 firefighters lost own homes to blaze

Chief of small Okanagan, B.C., brigade says 13 firefighters lost own homes to blaze
The chief of a small rural fire department in B.C.'s Okanagan region says 13 members of his own crew have lost their homes while fighting wildfires this season. Wilson's Landing Fire Chief Paul Zydowicz says wildfires burning on the west side of Okanagan Lake have been a "nightmare" due their speed and intensity. 

Chief of small Okanagan, B.C., brigade says 13 firefighters lost own homes to blaze

China wants more Canada flights after COVID-19 turbulence, despite tour-group ban

China wants more Canada flights after COVID-19 turbulence, despite tour-group ban
Beijing and Ottawa are in talks over how to increase flights between China and Canada, following an American deal in June. Transport Canada says the weekly number of flights between the two countries has dropped drastically, from more than one hundred per week in the summer of 2019 to just 10 this season.

China wants more Canada flights after COVID-19 turbulence, despite tour-group ban

Trudeau in Okanagan to meet firefighters, as final travel ban lifted for Kelowna area

Trudeau in Okanagan to meet firefighters, as final travel ban lifted for Kelowna area
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in the Okanagan in the BC Interior to meet with firefighters, volunteers, and officials involved in the region's wildfire fight. Trudeau's visit comes after the last travel restriction of the Okanagan was lifted, alongside all previous evacuation orders within the city of Kelowna, with wildfires diminishing since after recent rainfall. 

Trudeau in Okanagan to meet firefighters, as final travel ban lifted for Kelowna area

Home invasion in Fort Nelson

Home invasion in Fort Nelson
A 36-year-old man is in custody after an alleged home invasion in Fort Nelson left a homeowner with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Mounties say they received reports of the incident on Wednesday night, when the attacker reportedly entered a home on Boundary Road and took keys from a rack.

Home invasion in Fort Nelson