Wednesday February 28, 2024 | NATIONAL NEWS
Political analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The federal NDP is losing one of its most effective and authentic MPs as Daniel Blaikie resigns his seat (Elmwood-Transcona) to work with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and get more family time.
The announcement came today out of the national NDP office that Blaikie will step down March 31, 2024.
Blaikie has been in the federal arena for nearly a decade.
On Wednesday, NDP MP for Elmwood-Transcona, Daniel Blaikie, announced that he will be stepping down effective March 31, 2024 after almost a decade in federal politics. Blaikie will begin working as Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s Senior Advisor on Intergovernmental Affairs in April 2024.
Arguably, Blaikie would not have had this opportunity for a sideways career shift had the Manitoba NDP not done so well in their most recent election cycle. Kinew is a popular premier not only in Manitoba but already across Canada for his leadership through effective communication and being on top of societal change in this country.
Grateful to family & constituents:
“I am grateful to my constituents, my wife and my family for supporting me in serving my community as their MP,” said Blaikie. “As someone who became a father and an MP around the same time, one of the things I learned during the pandemic was how much it means to me to spend more time at home with my family while our kids are young.
“Like federal New Democrats are doing across the country, Premier Kinew is putting Manitoba on track for a more just and prosperous future,” said Blaikie in the NDP statement today.
“It’s been an honour to be a part of the federal NDP caucus and now, I have the privilege of joining Premier Kinew’s team in Manitoba. Jagmeet has a fantastic team of strong, competent and hardworking MPs who care about social, economic and environmental justice. I learned a lot sitting around that caucus table and have full confidence in them to keep using their power to put people first,” said the 40-year-old MP.
Daniel Blaikie was first elected in 2015, and re-elected in 2019 and 2021. His father was Bill Blaikie (1951-2022) who also served as the NDP MP for Elmwood-Transcona (1979 to 2008).
Workers, housing, dental care:
As a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Blaikie stood up for workers, strong collective bargaining rights and fair, secure pensions.
He also fought for a major expansion of affordable, non-market housing in Canada, with public investment at the scale required to address the housing crisis.
He contributed to establishing Canada’s new dental care plan and pushed for progress toward a national pharmacare plan.
He did an admirable job tracking the GIS-clawback issue for seniors following the CERB issues during the pandemic.
Finance critic:
As NDP Finance Critic, Daniel advocated for a fair tax system that requires the wealthiest individuals and corporations to contribute more to Canada’s development instead of sacrificing our future in the name of higher shareholder returns.
During his time in office, Blaikie advocated for investments in workers and our planet while insisting on fiscal transparency and accountability. He championed E.I. reforms so that the program can better serve Canadians, and a fairer electoral system that would ensure everyone’s voice and vote matters.
Leader’s comment:
“I appreciate what Daniel has brought to our NDP team,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who still needs all the MP-might he can get in the House of Commons. The NDP’s 25 seats prop up the Liberal minority government through the current Supply and Confidence Agreement. Though arguably, this a relatively safe time, if any, to lose an MP, now that the Supply and Confidence Agreement has essentially been secured through to June 2025 given the current legislation to bring in pharmacare and coverage of costs for contraception and diabetes.
“Times are tough for families and Premier Kinew’s government is working hard in Manitoba to get things done for people. I wish Daniel well as he continues to champion NDP values and policies like fairness for workers and real accountability to ensure wealthy corporations and CEOs are paying what they owe. I know his family will be very happy to have him closer to home as he continues to take on this important work in his new role.
“On behalf of New Democrats from coast-to-coast-to coast, thank you for your tireless dedication and for fighting every day to make Ottawa work for Canadian families.”
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