'Period of renewal': MLA not seeking re-election excited for party's future despite personnel turnover
One of the Progressive Conservative MLAs who is not seeking re-election in the fall said now is the perfect time to see the new talent that is in the party and is confident success will continue.
Alan Lagimodiere, the minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations and the MLA for Selkirk, announced on Tuesday that he would not be running again in the next election, which is scheduled for Oct. 2023.
He was first elected in 2016 and was appointed a minister in 2021.
"I have a family member who is struggling and the quality of life is deteriorating. So it's time to support the family," Lagimodiere said in an interview with CTV News Winnipeg on Thursday.
He noted if circumstances were different, there would be no hesitation about running again.
He is one of several PC MLAs who will not be back. On Wednesday, Myrna Driedger, the speaker of the Manitoba Legislature, announced she would not be seeking another term.
Other names include Cliff Cullen, Eileen Clarke and Ralph Eichler.
Lagimodiere said everyone has their reasons for moving on, just like any other career, adding some of the MLAs are heading for a "well-deserved retirement."
Despite the turnover, he still feels confident the PCs will find more success.
"I think it's a very exciting time for our party. It is a period of renewal. If you saw the results of the last two byelections, where all the news reports were out there saying the PCs are going to lose these. No, we won them, we won them both."
When announcements started being made about MLAs not running again, Lagimodiere said a lot of new talent and fresh ideas have been coming forward.
"I'm actually blown away by the talent of the individuals that have reached out to me and said, 'Hey, I want to know more about this position. What it takes, what do you need to do?' And some very prominent individuals in our communities. That kind of caught me off guard."
Whoever takes on the role as the next PC candidate for Selkirk, Lagimodiere said he is ready to help them succeed.
He believes the constituency of Selkirk will once again be blue in the next election and thinks Manitoba will continue to see PC leadership.
"I have the utmost faith that this is a PC stronghold now and we will continue to be a PC stronghold in Manitoba."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.