Close X
Saturday, September 21, 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

Over 111K seized in New Westminster

Over 111K seized in New Westminster
Police in New Westminster say a recent traffic stop led to the seizure of more than 111-thousand dollars in cash, and drugs with a street value of about 100-thousand dollars. They say officers with its Gang Suppression Unit pulled over a suspicious vehicle last Thursday and arrested the driver, who was prohibited from driving.  

Over 111K seized in New Westminster

Cyclist stabbed in Victoria

Cyclist stabbed in Victoria
Officers in Victoria say they’ve arrested a man accused of randomly stabbing a cyclist outside police headquarters. Investigators say the victim was passing by this morning when they were approached by the suspect and slashed with a knife.

Cyclist stabbed in Victoria

Passenger airplane crashes in Northwest Territories, injuries unknown

Passenger airplane crashes in Northwest Territories, injuries unknown
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says a plane that crashed near Fort Smith, N.W.T., was a British Aerospace Jetstream registered to Northwestern Air Lease. The airline's website says it has two of the planes in its fleet that can carry 19 passengers. There is no word on how many people were on the plane that crashed, or if there are any injuries or fatalities.  

Passenger airplane crashes in Northwest Territories, injuries unknown

Shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown inside Edmonton City Hall, police say

Shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown inside Edmonton City Hall, police say
Police were investigating a shooting Tuesday at Edmonton City Hall, where a Molotov cocktail was also thrown from the building's second floor. Police said no injuries were reported. Officers arrested one person and were doing a sweep of the building. 

Shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown inside Edmonton City Hall, police say

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh kicks off caucus retreat with pitch for next election

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh kicks off caucus retreat with pitch for next election
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is making a pitch to Canadians that his party is a viable alternative to the Liberals or Conservatives when voters to the ballot box in the next federal election. Singh kicked off his party's caucus retreat in Edmonton today with the simple message that New Democrats can be trusted.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh kicks off caucus retreat with pitch for next election

Federal use of Emergencies Act was unreasonable, judge rules

Federal use of Emergencies Act was unreasonable, judge rules
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and several other groups and individuals had argued in court that Ottawa ushered in the emergency measures without sound statutory grounds. The government contended the steps taken to deal with the pan-Canadian turmoil were targeted, proportional, time-limited and compliant with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  

Federal use of Emergencies Act was unreasonable, judge rules