Minister of Labour and Liberal MP Seamus O’Regan confirmed his resignation and that he will not seek re-election in the next federal election in a statement on Thursday. His resignation as Minister of Labour and Minister of Seniors comes into effect on Friday.
O’Regan joins 16 other Liberal MPs to declare that they’re not running for re-election.
Despite resigning as minister of labour and seniors, O’Regan confirmed his intent to remain as a Member of Parliament until the next federal election.
O’Regan said he is stepping down due to family reasons.
“I need to be a better husband, son, uncle, and friend, and this job means, and deserves, a lot of time in order to do it well,” said O’Regan.
The Liberals are expected to name O’Regan’s replacement on Friday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet is set to meet virtually on Friday for approximately 30 minutes, where a cabinet shuffle could occur.
Following the shocking byelection victory for the Conservatives in the Liberal stronghold of Toronto—St. Paul’s, political insiders have urged Trudeau to reverse course or resign.
Friday’s meeting will be the party’s first since the byelection loss.
Various rumours have been speculating about former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney taking over the Liberal party or Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland being shuffled out of her role as finance minister.
Trudeau recently admitted that he’s been trying to recruit Carney to join his government and told reporters that Freeland remains a close ally and partner.
“I think he would be an outstanding addition at a time when Canadians need good people to step up in politics,” said Trudeau.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that Trudeau wasn’t considering a demotion for Freeland.
A recent Ipsos poll showed that 68% of Canadians said it was time for Trudeau to resign.
O’Regan said that he remains indebted to Trudeau for giving him his chance and remains confident in his leadership.
“I’ll miss working with this Prime Minister, as I have. I believe he’ll be regarded as one of the most consequential and important leaders in our country’s history. His strength, endurance, and vision are unmatched, and they will see us through the next election,” said O’Regan.
O’Regan has been a friend of Trudeau for decades, previously serving as a member of his wedding party in 2005.
Before joining politics, O’Regan was a national correspondent for CTV news and a host of the network’s morning show, Canada AM.
He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2021. O’Regan has held several cabinet positions, including heading the ministries of veteran affairs, Indigenous services, natural resources, and, most recently, the labour ministry in 2021.
O’Regan currently represents the constituency of St. John’s South—Mount Pearl in Newfoundland and Labrador.
O’Regan told his constituents in his riding what he said when first elected.
“I’m not here for the show, I’m here to do the job,” said O’Regan.
“We live in hectic times. They’ve been hectic almost from the time we took office in 2015. Nerves are rubbed raw,” he said. “But we have a choice. This is a time to unite not divide, create not destroy, and build rather than break this great country of Canada. It is a treasure. It’s worth fighting for.”