OTTAWA — Housing Minister Sean Fraser says he is not going to be working within the subsequent federal election, citing a must spend extra time along with his household.
OTTAWA — Housing Minister Sean Fraser says he is not going to be working within the subsequent federal election, citing a must spend extra time along with his household.
Fraser made the announcement Monday morning at a information convention in Ottawa forward of a cupboard assembly and the autumn financial assertion.
His announcement comes as Chrystia Freeland additionally introduced she is leaving her cupboard put up as finance minister.
He stated he got here to this resolution months in the past, whereas he was recovering from a again surgical procedure operation and was spending extra time along with his children at house.
“My kids aren’t getting any younger and they’re going to need their dad around,” he stated.
“Our path to making a household was a difficult one. We have skilled the best of highs and the bottom of lows,” Fraser stated as he choked up on the microphone. “We’ve got had micro-preemies, prolonged hospitalizations, medical interventions and know the ache of dropping our one-day outdated daughter Ruth, who I miss daily and who I really like very a lot.”
Fraser batted down a query suggesting he is likely to be eyeing a run at Nova Scotia Liberal Occasion management, after the social gathering was decimated in final month’s provincial election, holding on to only two seats — the minimal quantity required to take care of official social gathering standing.
However he additionally didn’t rule it out.
“Today is not about a transition to some new political opportunity. It’s about an opportunity to transition to being a father who’s more available to his kids,” he stated.
Fraser joins a rising checklist of cupboard ministers exiting federal politics.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to chair a cupboard assembly on Monday.
Fraser, who was a frequent goal of Conservative assaults over the federal government’s dealing with of the immigration and housing information, was thought of a powerful communicator and rising star for the Liberals.
Fraser stated he’ll stay engaged in politics, however in what capability stays to be seen and stated as we speak’s announcement will not be a couple of transition to a different political put up.
Fraser was first elected as a Nova Scotia Liberal MP representing the Central Nova driving in 2015 and rapidly rose by the ranks of cupboard.
He held a number of parliamentary secretary posts earlier than he was named immigration minister in 2021.
Whereas in that job, the federal government considerably elevated its immigration targets, loosened the foundations to the momentary international employee program and granted entry to a quickly rising variety of worldwide college students.
Political strain ultimately pushed the federal government to reverse a lot of these insurance policies, as critics raised issues that top inhabitants development was eroding housing affordability and placing a pressure on providers.
Fraser was tapped for the housing file two years later because the Liberals labored to sort out a nationwide housing disaster, a difficulty that had turn out to be a big political legal responsibility for the federal government.
Rumours have been swirling on Parliament Hill {that a} cupboard shuffle is coming quickly to fill a number of vacancies and exchange Liberal ministers who not looking for re-election.
Filomena Tassi, the minister accountable for the Federal Financial Growth Company for Southern Ontario, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, Sports activities Minister Carla Qualtrough and Nationwide Income Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau have all introduced they don’t seem to be looking for re-election.
Pablo Rodriguez left his position as transport minister and Liberal caucus member in September to run for Quebec Liberal management.
Randy Boissonnault left his put up as employment minister final month after weeks of questions concerning the Edmonton MP’s shifting claims of Indigenous id and his enterprise dealings.
The subsequent federal election is predicted to happen by October 2025.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 16, 2024.
Nojoud Al Mallees and Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
