Nova Scotia’s deputy premier and justice minister, Diana Whalen, says she won’t run in the next provincial election, according to a release from the premier’s office.
Whalen, who has been MLA for Clayton Park West since 2003, said in the release Friday she would not be running again due to “recent health issues.”
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“The best thing is to look at wellness and to look at a balance in my life,” she told reporters Friday.
Before she held the role of justice minister, Whalen was Minister of Finance. Before entering provincial politics, she was a municipal councillor in Halifax.
She said she’s not sure what’s next for her post-politics, but she plans to stay involved in her community in some way.
Whalen said she’s also proud of several things she’s done in government, including getting a February holiday for the province and the restorative justice plan.
“That (February holiday) was something I felt we really needed, and I thought the figures on our number of holidays really pointed to that,” Whalen said.
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“Honestly, when I was elected in 2003, that’s when I first really became aware of restorative justice … so that’s something that being here at this point in time today, being able to roll it out in the next phase where we have it for adults and youth is very exciting.”
Whalen was already nominated to run again by the Liberals, according to the party’s website.
Premier Stephen McNeil told reporters on Friday that after cabinet this week, he sat down with Whalen to discuss “what was next” and said she informed him she wouldn’t be running for re-election. He said he was saddened by the news.
“I gave her my love and support, will continue to do so and we will be forever linked outside of public life as friends. I’m looking forward to seeing what her next chapter will be.”
Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell told Global News on Friday that he was “disappointed” Whalen wouldn’t be running again.
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“She is a wonderful lady, a great asset to the province, and she’s done tremendous work in every portfolio she’s had as an MLA, and she really cares about the province of Nova Scotia.
Politicians from other political parties also wished her well.
“Though we didn’t always agree, I never doubted Diana’s commitment to Nova Scotians and to public service,” Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said in a tweet.
“Diana was a worthy opponent, a hard worker, a dedicated public servant,” former NDP MLA Maureen MacDonald, who retired last year, said in a tweet. “Her party will be worse for her absence.”
Whalen will remain Justice Minister and deputy premier — she’s the first female deputy premier in the province — until the next election.
– With files from Steve Silva and Natasha Pace, Global News
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