MP Kellie Leitch says she won’t seek re-election
Simcoe-Grey MP Kellie Leitch announced Tuesday that she will not seek re-election in 2019.
She said she will complete her current term but after that she will return to her career in paediatric medicine.
The announcement comes two weeks after two other people were approved to run for the nomination.
Leitch issued the following statement on Jan. 23:
“Anyone who knows me knows that public service, in all its forms, is in my blood.
The last seven years of elected public service have been an honour. My time in politics has been a genuine privilege, and I will always be thankful to the constituents of Simcoe-Grey for their tremendous support. I have concluded, however, that the time has come for me to serve in other ways, including as a surgeon and volunteer. I will continue my work for my constituents first, for the balance of this Parliament, but will not seek re-election.
I came to Ottawa as a lifetime volunteer for the Conservative Party. I had the opportunity to apply my background in paediatric medicine as chair of the expert panel that led to introduction of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit in 2006. I have had the privilege to serve as an MP, a Parliamentary Secretary, a Minister of the Crown, and a member of the Official Opposition.
As much as I have enjoyed public life, the time has now come for me to return to the public service that is core to my being and forms the very roots of who I am: being a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon and getting children back on playgrounds. I will continue to take care of kids here at home and in overseas relief projects, building upon my work in Nepal in 2015. My next project will be in Kumasi, Ghana with Health Volunteers Overseas.
I will remain active in contributing to my community. I will be continuing my work on children’s charities focused on health and fitness, and as a volunteer supporting the efforts of the Conservative Party, its leader and its candidates.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me for these years in my core mission of helping others. Together, we have accomplished much. Together, we have much more to do.”
Leitch did not respond to our request for an interview.
The two-term MP was first elected in 2011. She served as Minister of Labour and Minister for the Status of Women. Last year, she ran unsuccessfully for the leadership of the Conervative Party of Canada, placing sixth. She ran a controversial campaign, proposed a Canadian values test for new immigrants. Locally, residents launched a Not My MP campaign, to express their opposition to the campaign.
