Veteran NDP MLA Danielle Chartier won't be running in provincial election
David Shield | CBC News | Posted: March 5, 2020 1:26 PM | Last Updated: March 5, 2020
Chartier was elected in 2009, last served as mental health and addictions critic
One of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party's most veteran MLAs is saying goodbye to the world of politics.
On Wednesday, NDP MLA Danielle Chartier announced she would not be running in this year's provincial election.
"If I could keep doing this job, I would in a heartbeat," she said.
"I feel so passionate about so many issues that are facing the people of Saskatchewan and would like to keep fighting in the legislature but I'm going to have to find other avenues to do that."
Chartier was first elected in the riding of Saskatoon-Riversdale in a 2009 by-election. Since her election, she has served in many roles, including the party's health critic.
Her last portfolio was critic for mental health and addictions, as well as critic for seniors and SaskEnergy.
She said family commitments, including spending more time with her 12-year-old daughter, weighed heavily in her decision.
"Ophelia thinks she needs her mom back," she said.
"When I chatted with her a little bit about it, she was so excited. It's hard not to know that that's the right thing to do."
The unexpected move comes during a provincial election year, which means the party will quickly need to find a new candidate.
NDP leader Ryan Meili said he's not concerned about vacating the seat so close to the election.
"We'll get a new candidate in there and Danielle will help to make sure we defeat the Sask. Party and win that seat," he said.
Election year
It's not clear when the election will be called. While a fixed election date has been set for Oct. 26, Premier Scott Moe has recently said an election could be called before that.
Meili said the move had nothing to do with any internal conflict within the party.
"There are points at which people move on and change roles," he said.
"This has nothing to do with any conflict in the caucus. This is about Danielle making a personal choice and I respect and support that."
Chartier said she will still be involved in this year's election. She believes there's still much more work to do.
"We've had a government who's had more money at its disposal than any government in the history of this province," she said.
"There have been plenty of opportunities to make good decisions to put people first and they haven't used them."
Before she became an MLA, Chartier was a reporter and also worked for the Ministry of Labour's Work and Family Unit.