Longtime Liberal minister Seamus O’Regan quitting cabinet

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is resigning from cabinet and will not run in the next federal election.

O’Regan made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, saying he informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he will be leaving his post for personal reasons effective Friday.

“These were difficult decisions,” said O’Regan in a post made Thursday. “But ultimately, my family comes first. I need to be a better son, husband, uncle, and friend and this job means, and deserves a lot of time in order to do it well.”

In addition to the labour file, he also handles the seniors portfolio.

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O’Regan is a longtime Newfoundland MP who was first elected for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl in 2015. Since then, he has served as minister of natural resources, minister of Indigenous services and minister of veterans affairs.

The prime minister’s office says O’Regan’s replacement will be announced Friday.

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“The Prime Minister extends his sincere thanks to Minister O’Regan for his exceptional leadership and dedication to making life better for Canadians, including for unions, workers, and organized labour. The new Minister of Labour and Seniors will be sworn in at Rideau Hall on July 19, 2024,” said the prime minister’s press secretary Mohammad Hussain in a statement.

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O’Regan’s resignation comes as the Liberals continue to wane in popularity with sagging national poll numbers.

By staying on until the next federal vote, which must be held by October 2025, O’Regan spares the Liberals another byelection.

“I’ll miss working with the prime minister, as I have. I believe he’ll be regarded as one of the most consequential and important leaders in our country’s history. His strength, endurance and vision are unmatched, and they will see us though the next election,” said O’Regan.

Last month, the party lost a former stronghold to the Conservatives, after a major defeat in the Toronto-St. Paul’s byelection.

Since the stunning upset, the Liberals have faced mounting pressure to reverse their political fortunes.

Trudeau himself has faced calls, including from one Liberal MP and a former cabinet minister, to resign.