MacDonald ending 28 years in politics

Wilbur MacDonald, a longtime member of the P.E.I. legislature, is leaving politics.

MacDonald announced Monday he will not be running in the next provincial election, expected some time this year.

"I think the deciding factor was, could I canvass like I've always [done], and I've had a bout of arthritis and… I haven't been able to get it cured up," he said.

"And it probably will not. So I didn't feel like I could canvass like I should."

MacDonald's political career began in May 1979 when he was elected to the House of Commons as a Progressive Conservative.

He then made the jump to provincial politics in 1982 in Fourth Queens, was re-elected in 1986,and has served in the legislature ever since.

MacDonald was elected in 1996 to represent Belfast-Pownal Bay, and was re-elected in 2000 and 2003.

"The riding has changed. It's no longer Belfast-Pownal Bay, it's now Vernon River-Stratford. I think maybe if the riding had of stayed the same, my decision might be different," he said.

MacDonald said he's proud to have been part of a government that kept rural schools open, completed major renovations to schools across the province and introduced a universal kindergarten program.

The 73-year-old said he would lend his support to the new Progressive Conservative candidate in the district.