(Ottawa) MP Emmanuel Dubourg, who has represented the Montreal seat of Bourassa in Ottawa for a decade, announced Wednesday he will not run in the next federal election.
Published yesterday at 7:41 p.m.
Michel Saba The Canadian Press
“It is a great honor to serve as a provincial and federal representative for 16 years and also as the only representative of Haitian descent. However, I must withdraw,” he told the House of Commons.
In his short speech, the MP particularly thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “for this opportunity to serve Canadians” and Jean Charest “for his sincere friendship” while he was a member of the National Assembly of Quebec.
“Mom, Dad, thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me,” he said in Creole. He later ended in the same language with the words “I walk by your side.”
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Mr. Dubourg said he believes that after “40 years of public service,” particularly considering his time serving at the Canada Revenue Agency, it is time to turn the page.
“And then, 65, I think that’s an age that resonates,” he said with a smile in his voice.
Mr. Dubourg assured that this “long considered” decision was made on his “own initiative” and was not initiated by Justin Trudeau or his team. “The Prime Minister would have wanted me not to go. That’s clear,” he said.
The Bourassa riding is a liberal stronghold. In the previous election in 2021, Mr. Dubourg won 60.4% of the vote. His fiercest opponent, the block candidate, only received 18.7%.
Mr. Dubourg has represented this constituency since 2013, which includes the Montréal-Nord district and part of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville district. He replaced the former mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, who had been his deputy since 1997.