North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney has announced that she will not be running in the next federal election.
According to a media release, Blaney will remain the member of parliament for North Island –Powell River until then, but will step down from her role as the NDP's party whip.
“Representing our community is a true honour,” stated Blaney. "There is nowhere else like it, and fighting for the people who live in North Island – Powell River has been and will continue to be my priority. The decision to not run again is not one I made lightly. But recent personal news means that I will need to be closer to home.”
After being elected by the people of North Island – Powell River in 2015, Blaney has secured real wins and changes for people in her community, the release stated. Blaney’s work as the NDP's critic for veterans' affairs focused on making life more affordable and easier for the men and women who served Canada, according to the release. She has also pushed parliament to investigate the treatment of women veterans for the first time in Canadian history to ensure their service is recognized and valued. As critic for seniors, she has fought tirelessly to make sure seniors are living in dignity by raising old age security and the guaranteed income supplement, even pushing to give $742 million back to low income working seniors that the Liberals clawed back, the release stated.
Blaney, as the NDP’s whip, has also played a key role in securing dental care and pharmacare, which are saving families, senior and young people thousands of dollars—despite the fact that the Conservatives tried to block these measures and the Liberals delayed them for three decades all so they could put the profits of CEOs first, the release stated.
“I want to thank my New Democrat colleagues and our community for your continued trust and support moving forward,” added Blaney. "I’m proud to be a part of the team that's delivering for Canadians and getting more money back to you. In the meantime, I’ll keep pushing for measures that put more money in your pocket and get Ottawa to work in your favour, not ones that prop up rich CEOs.”
Two other New Democrats, Charlie Angus from Timmins – James Bay, and Carol Hughes, from Algoma – Manitoulin – Kapuskasing, also announced they were not seeking re-election.
“On behalf of all New Democrats, I want to thank Rachel, Charlie, and Carol for their years of advocacy and dedication to serving working people,” stated NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. “They’ve all accomplished so much for Canadians and worked tirelessly to make our country a fairer, better place. They’ve added so much to our party and, while we’ll miss their contributions around the caucus table, I want to wish my friends the very best when each of them begins their next chapter.”
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