Ontario Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes not running in October election

Ontario Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannesannounced Saturday she would not be seeking re-election this year.

In a statement posted to Twitter, the member for Whitby, Ont.,explained she had informed the prime minister and party whip of her "tremendously difficult" decision on Feb. 12.

She also stressed that her choice wasn't related to the ongoing SNC-Lavalin affair and the testimony of her caucus colleague Jody Wilson-Raybould, who this week described interference by the prime minister and high-level government officials over her decision not to offer adeferred prosecutiondeal to the Quebec company.

She added she had immense respect for the former justice minister and attorney general and that would never change. The MP had commented several times on Twitter in support of Wilson-Raybould during the unfolding events surrounding her resignation from cabinet.

"Factors influencing this decision started long before Feb.12," the statement says. "It is a personal decision, based on a number of factors."

Caesar-Chavannes said her mind had been made up for months, dating back tobefore she decided not to continue as a parliamentary secretary in September.

She thanked her colleagues on both sides of the aisle for continuing to "fight the good fight" for Canadians.

Understanding some might be upset by her decision to step back from federal politics, she encouraged othersespecially those who feel underrepresentedto run for public office.

"I will continue to push boundaries, dismantle the status quo and break glass ceilings, and I hope you will expect no less from me."

Caesar-Chavannes had been a strong advocate for fighting the stigma around mental health. She was open about her own struggles with depression.

Twitter stand-off with Maxime Bernier

She also was known for calling out people for offensiveremarks, including now-leader of the People's Party of Canada Maxime Bernier.

For months, the two were locked in a social media battle about identity politics.

In the spring of 2018,Berniertweetedthat Caesar-Chavannesbelieves"the world revolvesaround" her"skin colour." That was in response to Caesar-Chavanneschiding himin an interview with theGlobe and Mail.

The feud began in March, when Berniercriticizedthe Liberal government'spromotion of funding for "racialized Canadians" and said he thought the goal of anti-racism policy was to create a "colour-blind" society.

Caesar-Chavannesfired back, suggesting Bernier"do some research ...as to why stating colour blindness as a defence actually contributes to racism."

"Please check your privilege and be quiet," she added provokingBernier toinvoke"free speech."

Elected in 2015, she served as the parliamentary secretary to the prime minister and to the minister of international development.

She joins Mark Eyking, Bill Casey, Colin Fraser, TJ Harvey and Scott Brisonon the list of Liberal MPs choosing not to run again in October's general election.