Toronto MP Marco Mendicino, a former senior minister in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, says he will not run in the next federal election.
Mr. Mendicino explained in a statement posted on social media that it was “the right decision, at the right time, for me and my family” and added that he had been encouraged to take a leadership role in Toronto.
He also indicated that he disagreed with the direction of the federal government, particularly regarding Canada’s foreign policy on the war between Israel and Hamas.
Marco Mendicino was first elected in 2015, when Justin Trudeau led the Liberals to a majority government, and became Minister of Immigration in 2019 before moving to Public Safety in 2021.
Mr. Mendicino was Minister of Public Safety when the government first invoked the Emergency Measures Act during the “freedom convoy” protest that blocked two border crossings and occupied downtown ‘Ottawa for weeks in early 2022.
He was removed from cabinet in July 2023 and says he plans to remain a Liberal MP until the next election.
