Thursday April 4, 2024 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC [Updated 11:15 am]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Vancouver Island MP Rachel Blaney (North Island-Powell River) has announced that she will not be seeking re-election in the next federal election.
She was first elected in 2015 and has been leading on issues for seniors and veterans as well as rural economic development. She has been party whip. She says she wants to spend more time with her family.
“Representing North Island-Powell River is a true honour. I have decided not to run again & to step down as NDP Whip. Recent personal news means I need to be closer to home. I will remain MP until the next election. Thanks to our community for your continued trust and support,” said Blaney in her social media stream on X.
Blaney has brought a natural style to politics and connects well with people. Some of her work involved international travel.
Two Ontario MPs:
Two Ontario MPs also announced today that they won’t run again are Ontario MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) who was first elected in 2004, and Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) who was elected in 2008 and has been a longtime deputy Speaker.
“As part of this renewal, I have decided not to run for re-election. After seven elections, 20 years of service in Parliament, and the privilege of being the longest-serving MP in Timmins history, it is time to pass on the baton,” said Charlie Angus in a statement posted online.
Joint statement:
The three MP’s delivered the news of stepping down in a joint announcement today, saying all three want more family time after years of dedicated public service.
All three MPs say they will work to get fellow New Democrats elected in the seats they are vacating.
Also lost Blaikie:
As of March 31, long-time Manitoba MP Daniel Blaikie has left the federal NDP and now serves with the provincial NDP.
Blaikie was a bright light for the federal team, particularly in his work on the financial file.
NDP has changed:
The NDP at one time was the Official Opposition in the House of Commons (when Jack Layton was the party leader). When Tom Mulcair was leader he tried to take the party to the political centre, which failed him and set the party back.
Jagmeet Singh became leader in 2017, brought forward to the federal leadership by local Vancouver Island MP Randall Garrison.
Singh has done a good job working the power of just 25 MPs to achieve many positive benefits for Canadians (e.g. CERB during the pandemic, dental plan support for children and seniors, and the beginnings of a national pharmacare program).
Using the Supply and Confidence Agreement to leverage power from the governing Liberals has been powerfully effective for Canadians who otherwise wouldn’t have some key social net benefits.
Local Vancouver Island MP Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) has chaired the NDP caucus since January 2024.
Opportunity for renewal:
When long-time MPs eventually move on this is an opportunity for renewal in constituencies and the party’s tone in the House of Commons. Singh said this week that new candidates will come forward to fill seats where long-serving MPs are leaving.
Times and politics are changing:
The complexity of politics — especially for federal MPs who must travel the country and also deal with increasing security issues — is probably taking a toll on the level of commitment that people can make to the process.
Also, in the case of the NDP, there is likely no chance of that party forming Opposition or government, which operationally limits their MPs to ‘small but mighty’ status.
The business of operational politics has become highly packaged and streamlined — and very much focused on media clips for social media. This may not suit the temperament or interest of politicians who got into the system at a time when individual MPs could make a real difference.
Election timeline:
The NDP have a Supply and Confidence Agreement with the minority government Liberals which is expected to last until June 2025. It essentially guarantees NDP support for the Liberals in House of Commons votes, though the NDP can step back from the agreement at any time.
The next federal election is presently scheduled for October 20, 2025.
===== RELATED:
- NDP stronghold boost on north Vancouver Island (March 5, 2024)
- Federal NDP loses Daniel Blaikie to Manitoba’s new NDP turf (February 28, 2024)
- Alistair MacGregor now chairs NDP caucus (February 1, 2024)
- GIS clawback still on NDP radar, want one-time emergency payment for impacted seniors (January 21, 2022)
- NDP seat-surge would benefit Canadians says Jagmeet Singh (August 19, 2021)