The Party Canadian Society and Politics - Ed Broadbent’s Announcement to Not Seek Re-election

NDP News Release
May 4, 2005

Just over a year ago I asked the citizens of Ottawa Centre for their support. On election night I promised to work hard on their behalf- for affordable housing, light rail urban transit, human rights and child poverty- as well as provide effective assistance to all in need by my constituency office. Action has been taken on all of these: more affordable housing is coming to Ottawa; light rail is on the way; Samsu Mia is a free man; I organized a national conference on child poverty- and over 1200 individuals have been successfully helped by my constituency office.

J’aimerais pouvoir être aussi optimiste à l’égard de la réforme électorale. Malheureusement, ce gouvernement continue de se traîner les pieds.

J’ai beaucoup aimé travailler avec les citoyens et les gens de la colline parlementaire. Je suis très reconnaissant du grand appui que j’ai reçu, de la part de mon personnel sur la colline et dans ma circonscription, ainsi que la communauté.

I will not, however, be seeking re-election. Some of you have been aware that my wife Lucille has had intensified health problems since this past Christmas. She now spends much of each day in pain. I simply cannot continue in the future with all the work expected of an MP and meet my deeply felt obligations to the person who is the love of my life.

I am pleased to be making this statement standing beside Jack Layton. In the year since the election, the NDP Members of Parliament, under Jack’s dynamic leadership, have worked flat out on behalf of Canadians across the country. This work culminated in the changes to the budget that were announced last week. Appropriately using available revenue Canadians are now going to get $1.5 billion for post-secondary education, $1.6 billion for affordable housing, $900 million more for the environment, $100 million to protect workers when companies go bankrupt and half a billion in foreign aid. All of this will be done within the framework of a balanced budget.

This would not have happened without Jack’s leadership. The Liberals were pushed, and he did the pushing. The result is a socially progressive budget that perfectly matches Canadians’ values.

If an election should occur by summer the NDP could not be in a more credible position. Here in Ottawa Centre we will pick a superior candidate who, I am certain, will retain the support of the people.