Veteran NDP MP Charlie Angus has announced that he will not be seeking re-election after serving in the House of Commons for 20 years and winning his riding in seven different elections.
āAfter 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,ā Mr. Angus said in his statement.
Mr. Angus addressed the challenges of representing rural areas in Northern Ontario and expressed gratitude to his team for their service and efforts in dealing with various crises.
Regarding the future of the NDP in Northern Ontario, Mr. Angus mentioned that it was an āexcellent timeā for a new candidate to bring forth fresh ideas.
Looking ahead, Mr. Angus mentioned that he plans to advocate for indigenous people and environmental issues, expressing his desire to engage in grassroots activism.
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This announcement marks the conclusion of the political career of one of the NDPās longest-serving MPs. In the most recent federal election in 2021, Mr. Angus secured victory over Conservative candidate Morgan Ellerton and Liberal candidate Steve Black with 12,132 votes.
As the next federal election approaches, polling data no longer shows Mr. Angus leading in the riding. According to the polling website 338Canada, the Conservatives currently hold a slight lead over the NDP, with a 56 percent chance of winning the seat as of March 31.
Throughout his 20 years in federal politics, Mr. Angus has been a prominent figure within the NDP. Following the departure of Tom Mulcair as leader of the NDP in 2017, Mr. Angus entered the leadership race, ultimately coming in second with 19.4 percent of the vote, losing to current leader Jagmeet Singh.
