Yvonne Jones, Gudie Hutchings join national exodus of Liberals who won’t run in next federal election
Yvonne Jones, a long-serving Newfoundland and Labrador member of parliament, is set to announce her retirement from federal politics. The Liberal Labrador MP is expected to make the official announcement at a news conference in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Friday. Jones, who currently serves as the parliamentary secretary to the minister of Northern Affairs and to the minister of National Defence, has had a lengthy career in politics. She started as the mayor of Mary’s Harbour before moving on to provincial politics and eventually becoming an MP in 2013.
Throughout her career, Jones has faced various health challenges, including a battle with breast cancer in 2010 and a second cancer diagnosis in 2022. Her decision to step away from politics comes at a time when several other Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MPs have also announced their intentions to retire. Gudie Hutchings, who represents Long Range Mountains and serves as the minister of Rural Economic Development and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is another MP who will not seek re-election but will continue to serve until the next election is called.
With the upcoming federal election expected to take place before October, the political landscape in Newfoundland and Labrador is undergoing significant changes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent announcement of stepping down as party leader and prime minister has added to the anticipation of an early election. Opposition parties have expressed their readiness to trigger an election at the earliest opportunity.
Hutchings, who was first elected in 2015, cited family reasons for her decision to not run for a fourth term. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve her community and highlighted the importance of making positive changes for future generations. Her tenure as an MP has been marked by various roles within the government, including appointments as the parliamentary secretary for women and gender equality and rural economic development.
As the political landscape in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to evolve, the departure of seasoned MPs like Yvonne Jones and Gudie Hutchings signals a new chapter in the province’s representation in the House of Commons. The upcoming federal election will be a crucial moment for voters to determine the direction of their representation and the future of Newfoundland and Labrador’s political landscape.
