Carol Hughes won’t seek reelection
ELLIOT LAKE—Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing has announced she will not be seeking re-election in the next federal election. She joined fellow NDP MPs Charlie Angus and Rachel Blaney in announcing they would not be seeking re-election.
“It has been an exceptional honour representing the people of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing for the past 16 years,” said MP Hughes. “I got into politics to try and make a positive difference in people’s lives. I’ve always attempted to take a pragmatic approach to this job and reach across party lines to get things done, but I and my NDP colleagues never wavered in our progressive ideals, and I am proud of the work I’ve done.”
“I’ve been contemplating for a while knowing I would be making this decision at some point,” MP Hughes told The Expositor. “And Mr. Angus has been an MP (Timmins-James Bay) for the past 20 years and MP Rachel Blaney (North Island-Powell River) has health issues that she is dealing with. We all worked with the (NDP) party on this (announcement). We need to get ready for the next election, and this will provide the opportunity for interested candidates to come forward.”
“I will remain the MP until the next federal election, but I knew I had to carve out some time to make this announcement,” said MP Hughes. “My daughter had a baby in December, she has four children, the oldest being 12. They want me to be able to attend important things in their lives and I am looking forward to this. And my husband took his retirement last July and I would like to spend more time with him as well.”
MP Hughes had an ankle replacement a few years ago (which, she noted, has not fully recovered), which never stopped her in her duties, even campaigning door to door in the last election. “And with the riding redistribution (election boundaries) coming up very soon, making my announcement now allows other candidates to come forward.”
MP Hughes was first elected in 2008, and won re-election in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2021. She has acted as Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole since 2015. In her time in office, MP Hughes successfully fought to make FedNor a standalone agency. From securing funding for the Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport, to the Meldrum Bay marina, to working to settle the Lecours Lumber lease agreement in Constance Lake and Lecours, to helping save post offices in Webbwood, Constance Lake First Nation, and Walford, MP Hughes has always fought for the needs of local communities.
She also noted that the introduction of the mobile ultrasound unit for Anishnawbek Aski Nation, that allowed women in the community not having to travel outside of their community for ultrasound was a milestone and saved the federal government and taxpayers money.
“There was the relocation of caribou in the Lake Superior area, near the Michipicoten First Nation, the Huron Centre Railway securing more funding, the broadband project we have worked on with H&M Cofi that is very close to a final announcement, keeping several post offices from closing, including the location in Silver Water which we were able to keep open for some time and the office in Wiikwemkoong, the lands claims issues we worked on, the work in making sure First Nations were exempt from the HST tax, and helping my fellow MPs to make sure the jobs were saved at the mill in Hearst, the many infrastructure projects and a lot more,” said MP Hughes.
On a national level, along with fellow New Democrats, she worked to secure dental coverage for millions of Canadians, develop a framework for single-payer universal pharmacare, including coverage for contraceptives and diabetes medication, anti-scab legislation, an indigenous-led housing program and the passing of the Canada Child Care Act.
“I’m exceptionally proud of what I’ve managed to accomplish,” said MP Hughes. “I know that we can continue to show Canadians that we can enact real, tangible, positive change by electing more New Democrats. I look forward to helping elect the next generation of progressive MPs within the new electoral boundaries in the North, but it’s time for me to start planning on spending more time with my family.”
“I recognize that some individuals over the years have not been happy with all the decisions I have made or the work I’ve done, but this is par for the course,” said MP Hughes. “Not everyone is going to be happy with what you have done and the votes that you have made. There are always people that are dissatisfied with what you have done, but I’ve done it based on the information and what impacts positively on the majority of people.”
“And I will continue to do the work I was elected to do,” said MP Hughes. “But it is time to pass the flame to someone who will have as much energy that I have given to this position and to the level of service all our communities deserve.”
“I tip my hat to Charlie (Angus) who has done so much good work over his 20 years. It has been an honour to work with him, I learned a lot from him and continue our work.”
MP Hughes will remain the MP for AMK until the next federal election.
In a statement, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said, “On behalf of all New Democrats, I want to thank Rachel, Charlie, and Carol for their years of advocacy and dedication to serving working people. They’ve all accomplished so much for Canadians and worked tirelessly to make our country a fairer, better place. They’ve added so much to our party and, while we’ll miss their contributions around the caucus table, I want to wish my friends the very best when each of them begins their next chapter.”
With the riding boundary changes coming down in the next few weeks, Manitoulin Island will be included in the Nickel Belt riding. In the last federal election in the Nickel Belt riding, NDP candidate Adreane Chenier finished a strong second behind Liberal Marc Serre.
“We are certainly going to be looking for a party candidate in the next federal election in this riding,” said MP Hughes. “I understand Adreane has some interest in running again. I would endorse her, although I don’t know if there are other people that are going to put their hats in the ring.”
“Adreane is a fabulous person, very knowledgeable,” said MP Hughes. “I would certainly support her if she throws her name in the ring.”
When contacted by The Expositor Ms. Chenier said, “I certainly hope to run. I would like to, and my intention is to seek the nomination.”
Ms. Chenier, who is the president of the NDP Nickel Belt Riding Association, said, “We will have to reconstitute the riding and have candidates who are interested come forward for the nomination. Yes, it is my intention to seek the nomination.”
Ms. Chenier praised the work that MP Hughes has done over the past 16 years. “I think very highly of Carol and the work she has done, all the things she has achieved for her constituents and the groundwork she achieved. It is very impressive.”
