A day after taking part in an announcement in Halifax for new federal and provincial funding for school, Halifax-West MP Geoff Regan has announced he is leaving politics.
“This year has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone, but we can see a bright horizon ahead. After nearly 24 years of public service, I believe it is the right time for me to step aside,” Regan announced on Twitter on Wednesday morning.
He said he won’t be running in the next election, but will continue as MP until then.
I would like to thank my constituents in Halifax West for their tremendous support during my lengthy political journey. https://t.co/a8naZjkjk4
— Geoff Regan (@geoffregan) March 31, 2021
“I am proud to have served as your representative in Ottawa and deeply honoured by the trust you have placed in me throughout the years. I look forward to exploring new ways to make meaningful contributions and I’m excited about what the next chapter will bring.”
He said he wanted to thank his constituents for their support.
Regan was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 under Jean Chretien. He lost in 1997 to the NDP’s Gordon Earle, but won the seat back in 2000 and won six more times after that.
He is a former fisheries minister, and was Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019.
In a video statement posted to YouTube, Regan said if someone told him in 1993 or 2000 that he would serve for so long in public office “I would have laughed. It would have seemed unimaginable.
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“I’ve seen that life passes quickly, and it’s full of interesting things to do, meaningful ways to contribute, and marvelous people to encounter,” he said. “I have been fortunate in so many ways with the time I have had in the House of Commmons of Canada,and I believe the time has come for me to explore other aspects of life.
He thanked his family, members of the party and his campaign teams, and those who supported he and his family during election campaigns.
“I want to thank all the parliamentary colleagues I’ve worked with over the years, including those that had opposing opinions, and so many of whom always showed respect to each other,” Regan said.
