Political legend Yvonne Jones ends 30-year career
5 of 6-Liberal N.L. MPs won’t seek re-election
After more than 30 years as an established political figure in Newfoundland and Labrador, Yvonne Jones says she won't seek re-election in the next federal election — but she says it's not due to health concerns or to spend more time with her family.
Jones, the current Liberal MP for Labrador, made the announcement Friday at Hotel North 2 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
CBC News learned the day before that Jones was stepping away from federal politics and wouldn't be running in the next election.
"It was a tough decision but I know I'm ready and I'm excited about the next chapter. Where I'm going on this journey, I don't know, but what I do know was that I've had an incredible opportunity in my life because of the people of Labrador," she told CBC News.
Whatever she does next, she said she will still be helping the people of Labrador, and she has a memoir coming out in the spring.
Looking back at her time on the political stage, Jones said she hoped she made a positive impact and met the expectations of the people who voted her into office.
She said making the announcement was an emotional experience.
"I'm walking away from this job feeling good about what I've accomplished. And I think if I feel good, I'm hoping Labradorians feel good — and I know they do," said Jones.
"I've had the ability to be able to sit with them in their homes, in their town halls. I've been able to represent them at some of the largest negotiating tables in the province."
In Friday's statement, Jones said she has been thinking about her political future over the last six months, and in December she informed now-outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of her decision.
"Today, I want to tell the people of Labrador that it has been my honour — an honour of my lifetime — to represent each of you," she wrote.
"While you have not made that job easy on me through the years, it was oftentimes through your tough love that you gave me the courage I needed to get the job done in the best way possible."
Jones, who is 56 and a two-time breast cancer survivour, also stressed she didn't reach this decision due to any health issues.
"I am cancer-free and perfectly healthy; nor is it for family reasons. I simply believe it is the right choice for me at this time," she wrote.
She said she will finish her term and is planning to look for new opportunities.
Jones is currently the parliamentary secretary to the minister of Northern Affairs and to the minister of National Defence.
She started her political career in municipal politics as mayor of Mary's Harbour from 1991 to 1996, before making the leap to provincial politics as the MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair until 2013. That same year, Jones was first elected as an MP.
Jones has faced repeated health challenges in recent years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. In 2022 she announced she would be taking a break from politics after receiving a second cancer diagnosis.
Liberal exodus
Jones joins a growing number of Liberal MPs who have announced they are stepping away from Ottawa.
Avalon MP Ken McDonald, St. John's South-Mount Pearl MP Seamus O'Regan and Bonavista-Burin-Trinity MP Churence Rogers made their decisions over the course of 2024.
On Thursday Gudie Hutchings, who represents Long Range Mountains and is minister of Rural Economic Development and responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, also announced she will not seek re-election.
That means five of the six-Liberal MPs in N.L. have announced they would not seek re-election when the next federal election is called.
A spokesperson for St. John's East Liberal MP Joanne Thompson — who was recently folded into Justin Trudeau's cabinet as minister of seniors — confirmed to CBC News on Thursday that she will be running in the next election.
Jones said her decision to retire is unrelated to the problems Trudeau is facing in Ottawa.
"It has nothing to do with who the federal leader is. It has nothing to do with where the Liberals are in the polls, has nothing to do with the fact I could win my seat again or not," she said.
"It has to do with the fact that I feel that it's the right time for me. It's time for me to look at what are the other things I want to do in my life," she said.
She said a few days ago she called fellow N.L. MP Hutchings to say she was leaving politics only to be told Hutchings' was doing the same thing.
"I was actually surprised myself. But you know, I think in politics you'll get people that will come for a short time, people that will stay for a long time. It's not a business that's designed for everyone," said Jones.
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With files from Zach Russell