Delta will have a new Member of Parliament after the next federal election is called.
In a statement on social media Thursday (Oct. 17), Carla Qualtrough announced that she recently advised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that she would not be running in the next election.
“Delta is a wonderful community. Deltans are caring and resilient. Thank you for putting your trust in me and my team. You invited us into your lives and shared your triumphs and challenges. We have done great things together,” she said.
The Liberal MLA’s statement goes on to express gratitude to Trudeau for putting his trust in her, as well as thanking her family.
She was first elected for the Liberals in 2015, when South Delta and North Delta were combined to be one federal riding, and won the subsequent elections in 2019 and 2021.
She is the current Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, previously serving as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Minister of Accessibility, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and as Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.
Prior to entering politics, the mother of four was a human rights lawyer and Paralympic swimmer.
Qualtrough noted she had “mixed emotions” in making her decision but is “excited to see what comes next.”
Several other federal cabinet ministers also announced they would no be seeking re-election, which will result in the need for a cabinet shuffle.
A group of Liberal MPs reportedly plan to ask the prime minister at next week’s caucus meeting to step aside before the next election, but there is no indication Qualtrough is among them.
In an interview with the Optimist this summer, she said, "The prime minister has my full support."
