Three NDP MPs have announced they are stepping back from politics.
Charlie Angus, Rachel Blaney, and Carol Hughes said Thursday they were not be seeking re-election.
Angus said he’s “passing the baton” and won’t be seeking re-election.
In a statement to the Globe and Mail, Angus said he will continue representing his Timmins—James Bay riding until the next federal election.
Angus said there is a “need for new energy” in politics.
“One political era is ending, and another begins,” Angus said. “As part of this renewal, I have decided not to run for re-election.”
Angus sought the NDP leadership against Jagmeet Singh in 2017. He received 19.4% of the vote. He is currently the party’s critic for natural resources and deputy critic for ethics and Crown-Indigenous relations.
News of Angus’ departure from politics comes as Conservatives are slightly leading the polls in the Timmins—James Bay riding, according to 388Canada. However, the boundaries will change in the federal election.
In the 2021 election, Angus carried the riding with 35% of the vote, besting Conservative candidate Morgan Ellerton, who received 27%.
Despite polls showing a tight race if the riding remained unchanged, Angus is optimistic the new riding will remain NDP.
Angus has won seven elections since his 20 years of political service and is the longest-serving MP in Timmins’ history.
In the next election, the riding he’s represented since 2004 will be renamed Kapuskasing—Timmins—Mushkegowuk with a new boundary adding 20,000 square kilometres of territory.
Singh released a statement on Thursday in response to the MPs stepping away from politics.
“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,” said 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.”