Former Kanata-Carleton MP running for MPP in same riding
Former Liberal MP Karen McCrimmon is looking to once again represent her Ottawa area riding, but in the Ontario legislature and not the House of Commons.
McCrimmon has been appointed as the Liberal candidate for the as yet unannounced Ontario byelection in Kanata-Carleton, following the sudden resignation of Progressive Conservative MPP Merrilee Fullerton.
Fullerton resigned her seat in the legislature in March. She had been serving as the Minister for Children, Community and Social Services at the time. Prior to that, she was the Minister of Long-term Care during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which thousands of seniors in long-term care homes across the province died.
McCrimmon was elected to Parliament in 2015, when the riding of Kanata-Carleton was first formed. She was re-elected in 2019 but chose not to seek re-election in 2021. She is a 31-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, who resigned as a lieutenant colonel. She was the first woman to command a Canadian Forces air force squadron.
In 2021, McCrimmon said she would not seek re-election because of health challenges.
With Fullerton's resignation, Ottawa lacks a sitting MPP in cabinet. McCrimmon referenced this in a news release Monday.
"From the convoy to infrastructure and budget gaps the current government has told our city it’s on its own. We need to send them a message that Ottawa won’t be ignored. Kanata–Carleton deserves an MPP that really cares and will serve residents with energy and integrity," she said.
Premier Doug Ford has said the government would 'always be there for Ottawa' despite the lack of a local cabinet minister.
Sean Webster was nominated as the Ontario PC Party candidate to replace Fullerton. According to his LinkedIn profile, he most recently worked for Canopy Growth as its vice-president of government and stakeholder relations.
A date for the byelection has yet to be called. Fullerton officially resigned as an MPP on March 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.