Fredericton MP joins exodus of Liberals not seeking another term in next election
Jenica Atwin was first elected for Greens but later crossed floor to Liberals
Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin has decided not to run in the next federal election.
She joins a number of Liberal MPs who've announced they're not running, including former cabinet minister Harjit Sajjan, who said Wednesday that he won't run in his Vancouver South riding.
CBC News had sought an interview with Atwin about whether she would try for a third term, but the interview was declined. A spokesperson emailed a statement on Wednesday.
"After much deliberation, Jenica made the decision that it is in the best interest of her family that she take a step back from federal politics for the time being," Katherine McAllister wrote.
"She will not be running for re-election."
Atwin was one of three Green Party members elected to Parliament in 2019 and the first Green to be elected from Atlantic Canada.
She later crossed the floor to sit with the governing Liberals and was re-elected in a close race against Conservative Andrea Johnson a few months later.
In 2023, she was named parliamentary secretary to the minister of Indigenous services.
A former teacher and community organizer in Oromocto, southeast of Fredericton, Atwin was among the MPs calling in recent months for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation.
The Liberals are in the midst of a leadership contest now that Trudeau has announced plans to resign. A federal election has to take place before October.
