B.C. MP Sheila Malcolmson to leave federal NDP to seek provincial seat, but timing not clear
Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP hopes her departure won't trigger a federal byelection
NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson is leaving federal politics to seek a provincial seat in the British Columbia legislature in what's shaping up to be a crucial byelection.
But it's not clear when she intends to give up her seat in the House of Commons.
Malcolmson, who was elected in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding in 2015, will run for the seat vacated by MLA Leonard Krog, who won Nanaimo's mayoral race Saturday.
NDP B.C. Premier John Horganannounced Malcolmson'smove during a news conference in Nanaimo today, saying she will makehealth care, public education and affordable housing her top policy priorities.
"Sheila is perfectly suited to step into Leonard's formidable shoes, and working together, the city, the province, and with a woman of experience on issues at local government as well as federal politics, I couldn't be happier," he said.
Malcolmsonsaid she was not abandoning the federal party, which is struggling with sagging public support and slow fundraising.
"I'm very proud that Jagmeet is our leader. I support him absolutely," she said.
Malcolmsonsaid she hopes her move will not trigger a federal byelectionorinterrupt service to her constituents. The federal general election is still a year away andMalcolmsondidnot explain how a byelectioncould be avoided, saying only that more details on timing would be released eventually.
NDPLeader Jagmeet Singh said Malcolmsonis part of the NDP's"greater family" and will continue to serve in a progressive government at the provincial level. While the list of departing MPs grows, he said he has confidence in his team of candidates.
"We know that we're going to have a strong team come the next election, we're going to have a great team of MPsthat will be returning, as well as a bunch of new, exciting candidates that we'll present in the upcoming election, and I'm excited about the potential for that," he said.
Malcolmson'sdeparture from the federal scene may be good news for the provincialNDP,but it comes as the federal party deals with a growing number of incumbentswho have decided not to run in next year's federal election.
Linda Duncan (theNDP'sonly MP from Alberta), London-area MPIreneMathyssen, Ontario MPDavidChristophersonand QuebecMPsHlneLaverdireandRomoSaganashhave all announced they do not plan to seek re-election.
FormerNDPleader TomMulcairalready hasstepped asideand B.C. MP Kennedy Stewart left to launch a successful run for themayor's office in Vancouver.
Singh has said he will run for Stewart's seatwhen thebyelectioninBurnabySouth is called.
Timing for the moves is critical, because when Krogofficially resigns, it will trigger a byelection that could change the power dynamic in the provincial legislature.
The NDPand the Green Party have between them44 MLAsin the B.C. legislature. If a Liberal candidate wins the Nanaimo byelection, it would give theLiberals the power to block provincial legislation and defeat the government, triggering a provincial election.
Nanaimo has voted NDPin 13 of the last 15 provincial elections, but B.C. Liberal LeaderAndrew Wilkinson has said he hopes to win the riding.
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