Newfoundland Liberal MP Ken McDonald, known for breaking with his party on carbon tax votes, has announced his decision not to seek re-election.
During an interview on the Tim Powers Show on VOCM, Mr. McDonald stated, “I met with the prime minister on June 17, and I actually told him at that point that my name will not be on the next federal election ballot. Whenever the election is called, you can guarantee it, my name will not be on a federal election ballot.”
Citing the long distances between his riding of Avalon and Ottawa, as well as missing out on time with his grandchildren, as reasons for his decision, Mr. McDonald expressed his desire to step back after nearly a decade in politics. He also mentioned considering provincial politics but has not made any commitments in that regard.
Mr. McDonald gained attention for voting in favor of Conservative motions to repeal the federal carbon tax in both October 2022 and October 2023, diverging from his party’s stance on the issue.
He explained his vote against the carbon tax as a show of support for Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, who had urged Ottawa to minimize the tax’s impact on the region. Many constituents in his rural riding, according to Mr. McDonald, have been struggling with the financial burden imposed by the carbon tax.
Notably, Mr. McDonald did not support a November 2023 motion to eliminate the carbon tax following the government’s announcement of a three-year exemption for home heating oil and increased subsidies for electric heat pumps.
Discussing the Liberals’ recent byelection loss in Toronto–St. Paul’s riding, Mr. McDonald acknowledged it as a significant setback for the party and expressed understanding for his colleagues’ concerns in nearby ridings.
When questioned about Liberal MP Wayne Long’s call for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down, Mr. McDonald expressed his agreement by saying, “well said.”
Amid growing calls for Mr. Trudeau to resign, including from former cabinet ministers Catherine McKenna and Wayne Easter, the Prime Minister stated that he is listening to his caucus but did not confirm whether he would convene an in-person meeting to address the byelection defeat.
Mr. McDonald did not provide a response to The Epoch Times’ request for comment at the time of publication.
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