 |
 Orléans
MP Andrew Leslie will not be running for reelection
in next fall's federal election, deciding instead to
take 'a new path'. File photo |
Orléans
MP Andrew Leslie has decided not to run for re-election in
next fall's federal election. The former Lieutenant-General
made the announcement in a Facebook post on Wednesday. It
reads.
"It
has been my honour and privilege to represent the constituents
of Orléans as the federal Member of Parliament. For 40 years
I have served Canada both as a soldier and parliamentarian,
and after careful consideration - while recovering from
shoulder replacement surgery - I believe it is time for
me to take a new path."
"Accordingly,
I will not be running in the next election and have stepped
down from my duties as Parliamentary Secretary to afford
the opportunity to another Member. I will continue to serve
the constituents of Orléans until my successor is elected
in October, and I look forward to helping the Liberal candidate
succeed."
The statement
is part of a letter Leslie has posted on his website at
https://aleslie.liberal.ca.
In it he thanks the residents of Orléans for their support
as well as his staff for their "professionalism and dedication".
He also lists his many accomplishements while in office
for the past three and a half years. Beyond that there is
no reference as to a reason for his decision other than
his desire to take "a new path".
Leslie
has been serving as parliamentary press secretary to Foreign
Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland since January, 2017.
Before that he was Chief Government Whip.
A former
Lieutenant General, Leslie was elected to parliament in
November, 2015 after a controversial nomination process
in which his chief rival, David Bertschi, was disqualified
by the Liberal Party leadership, paving the way for Leslie
to win the nomination by acclamation. He would go on to
win his seat by 22,000 votes over Conservative incumbent
Royal Galipeau.
Leslie's
military career spanned 35 years until his retirement in
2011. He served on numerous international missions, including
leading troops in Germany, Cyprus, the former Yugoslavia,
and Afghanistan. In 2006, he became Chief of the Land Staff
Army Commander, a position he held until 2010. He retired
the following year and went into consulting until he decided
to run for the House of Commons at the behest of Justin
Trudeau for whom he was serving as an advisory on international
affairs.
Leslie,
61, is married and has three children, a son and two daughters.
The MP's
decision not to run should set up an interest contest for
the Liberal nomination which will need to be held before
July. Leslie's former rival, David Bertschi, has switched
party allegiances and is currently running for the Conservative
nomination in the riding against two other contenders. The
nomination meeting is expected to be held by the end of
the month.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents Michael Ben-Shalom live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents The Underground live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. Trivia Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (613) 834-9005 to reserve your spot. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near the Innes Road McDonalds.
