Janice Sherry’s career in provincial politics is over, by her choice.
The long-time Liberal MLA and former cabinet minister in Robert Ghiz’s government announced Monday that she is stepping down as the member for District 21, Summerside-Wilmot, effective immediately.
Sherry, from her Summerside home, said family, particularly the birth of her first grandchild, Seth, a year ago prompted the decision.
“It’s important to always be self-evaluating and recognizing for yourself, and for the party, what’s good. For me 10 years was what I set out to do,” she said.
“I want to go out when I’m feeling good about what I’ve done and my accomplishments and be sure not to miss any more family occasions.”
RELATED: Click here to read more about Janice Sherry's time in public office.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan, in a written statement, commended Sherry for the many contributions she has made to the Island in public service as an MLA, cabinet minister, and caucus member.
“I am confident Janice will continue to serve her community, our province, and the Liberal party well in all of her further endeavours.”
Sherry first ran, unsuccessfully, for the Liberals in District 21 in 2003. She was first elected in 2007 as part of Robert Ghiz’s first government and re-elected in 2011, retaining her seat with 57.1 per cent of the vote.
But, during the 2015 election, Sherry narrowly won her seat, with only 30 votes between her and Progressive Conservative candidate Brian Ramsay.
Reflecting on her years in office, Sherry said there have been numerous highlights and achievements she is proud of, too many, she added, to list.
“No. 1 is always keeping your constituency at the fore of your mind. You are elected by the people,” she said. “One of the most recent is having Youth Addictions Service locate in Summerside. As minister of Justice, I worked very closely on that file to ensure that would happen and be located in Summerside.
“That would be one of my greater achievements for the city and for the people.”
While minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, Sherry helped to bring more than 70 new seniors units to the Summerside area.
“There has been a lot of great work,” she said, quickly adding, “but you don’t to it alone. You do it as part of a team and I have always sort of prided myself on the ability of being good with collaboration.
“My favourite part of being an MLA or being a government official, No. 1 is the people and No. 2 is policy development. I have enjoyed that work immensely.”
As for her future plans, for the time being Sherry is focused on family and home.
“Right now I have every intention of being around my home. I’ve got lots of corners to clean out. There have been many years of ‘I’ll do that tomorrow’,” she added. “I am just going to take some time to reflect. Whatever comes will come.
“Certainly the chapter on provincial politics is closed. I always believe when one door closes another one opens.”
Janice Sherry’s career in provincial politics is over, by her choice.
The long-time Liberal MLA and former cabinet minister in Robert Ghiz’s government announced Monday that she is stepping down as the member for District 21, Summerside-Wilmot, effective immediately.
Sherry, from her Summerside home, said family, particularly the birth of her first grandchild, Seth, a year ago prompted the decision.
“It’s important to always be self-evaluating and recognizing for yourself, and for the party, what’s good. For me 10 years was what I set out to do,” she said.
“I want to go out when I’m feeling good about what I’ve done and my accomplishments and be sure not to miss any more family occasions.”
RELATED: Click here to read more about Janice Sherry's time in public office.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan, in a written statement, commended Sherry for the many contributions she has made to the Island in public service as an MLA, cabinet minister, and caucus member.
“I am confident Janice will continue to serve her community, our province, and the Liberal party well in all of her further endeavours.”
Sherry first ran, unsuccessfully, for the Liberals in District 21 in 2003. She was first elected in 2007 as part of Robert Ghiz’s first government and re-elected in 2011, retaining her seat with 57.1 per cent of the vote.
But, during the 2015 election, Sherry narrowly won her seat, with only 30 votes between her and Progressive Conservative candidate Brian Ramsay.
Reflecting on her years in office, Sherry said there have been numerous highlights and achievements she is proud of, too many, she added, to list.
“No. 1 is always keeping your constituency at the fore of your mind. You are elected by the people,” she said. “One of the most recent is having Youth Addictions Service locate in Summerside. As minister of Justice, I worked very closely on that file to ensure that would happen and be located in Summerside.
“That would be one of my greater achievements for the city and for the people.”
While minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, Sherry helped to bring more than 70 new seniors units to the Summerside area.
“There has been a lot of great work,” she said, quickly adding, “but you don’t to it alone. You do it as part of a team and I have always sort of prided myself on the ability of being good with collaboration.
“My favourite part of being an MLA or being a government official, No. 1 is the people and No. 2 is policy development. I have enjoyed that work immensely.”
As for her future plans, for the time being Sherry is focused on family and home.
“Right now I have every intention of being around my home. I’ve got lots of corners to clean out. There have been many years of ‘I’ll do that tomorrow’,” she added. “I am just going to take some time to reflect. Whatever comes will come.
“Certainly the chapter on provincial politics is closed. I always believe when one door closes another one opens.”
During her time in public office, Janice Sherry, MLA for District 21, Summerside-Wilmot, served as Government Whip and was a member and chair of numerous Legislative Standing Committees.
She held a number of cabinet portfolios including minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, minister Responsible for Status of Women, minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board, minister responsible for Human Rights, minister responsible for Securities, minister responsible for Public Safety, minister responsible for Emergency Preparedness, minister of Environment, Labour and Justice, and Attorney General.
