Minister of Justice announces that he will not be seeking re-election in upcoming federal race
After almost 20 years of his life spent in federal politics, Canadian Minister of Justice, and Attorney General, Peter MacKay announced his plans to step down from office on May 29, 2015. MacKay will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming October federal elections, and will remain in his position as justice ministe—as well as the Member of Parliament for Nova Scotia’s Central Nova riding—until then.
MacKay cited his love for his family as the reason for his decision to not seek re-election.
“The greatest gift of public life, it has been said, is the people that you meet and associate with,” said MacKay in a public announcement. “And, for me, greater still is the knowledge that it was through this public life that I met and married Nazanin, the love of my life.”
In his announcement, MacKay referenced his wife, Nazanin Afshin-Jam, as well as their son, Kian, and the daughter the family is expecting this fall.
“Part of me regrets that I will not be in the fray of the next federal election, but simply put, I love my family more,” said MacKay.
During his announcement, MacKay was joined by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who expressed a combination of pride and sorrow at MacKay’s important decision.
Analysts speculate that MacKay’s departure will signal difficulty for the Conservative Party of Canada, where MacKay’s centrist views helped capture the support of the more left-wing Conservative voters.
MacKay’ foray into the political realm began in 1993, when he accepted an appointment as the Crown Attorney for the Central Region of Nova Scotia. However, it was not until his election as the Member of Parliament for the Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough riding in northeastern Nova Scotia, in 1997, that MacKay’s political career truly began.
MacKay was eventually re-elected in the 2000 federal election, and, in 2003, MacKay was elected as the leader of the now-defunct Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. In December 7, 2003, MacKay led a merger between the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada into the Conservative Party of Canada—alongside current Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
MacKay was named as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, by Prime Minister Harper, following the Conservative party victory in the 2006 federal elections. Eventually, Prime Minister Harper would shuffle his cabinet in 2007, and MacKay replaced Gordon O’Connor as Minister of National Defence. In 2013, Prime Minister Harper yet again shuffled his cabinet, repositioning MacKay as the Minister of Justice—the role that he will fill until the October federal elections.
In addition to members of the Conservative party, Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau and New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair expressed their sentiments regarding MacKay’s departure. Mulcair’s comments, however, were thinly veiled criticisms of Prime Minister Harper’s majority party.
“Turns out Peter MacKay is also ready for change,” said Mulcair at a speech in Toronto. “A lot of people seem to be leaving Stephen Harper’s ship these days.”
Mulcair’s comments are in reference to announcements that a number of Conservative Members of Parliaments will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming federal race.