Charlottetown-Lewis Point MLA Kathleen Casey says while she’s prepared to keep her district’s seat Liberal in the next election, she won’t be the one sitting in it.
Casey announced on Wednesday that she will not be seeking re-election once she finishes this term.
During her announcement, Casey said her priorities have always been to improve the lives of her constituents and to leave her district in “better shape than we found it.”
“Together we have accomplished those goals. The district has money in the bank, it has a dedicated team and we are prepared to keep the seat Liberal after the next election,” said Casey, who did not provide a reason for her decision other than saying “I feel the time is right for me to contribute to the renewal of Charlottetown-Lewis Point by enabling, promoting and encouraging young people to step up and make their contribution and bring their voices into this house.”
Casey is the latest Liberal MLA who has said they will not seek re-election. Montague-Kilmuir MLA Allen Roach and Vernon-River Stratford MLA Alan McIsaac are also not seeking re-election.
Casey, who is the deputy Speaker of the house, was elected to the legislature during the 2007 provincial election and served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011.
Prior to becoming an MLA, Casey served on Charlottetown city council from 1997 to 2003.
She said spending the majority of her time as speaker and deputy Speaker has been a tremendously valuably experience.
“I have come to appreciate the rules, the traditions, debate and the work of the legislative branch,” said Casey. “And I believe that all words spoken here should be tempered and worthy of this house.”
Casey also expressed gratitude to her constituents and supporters who were with her “since day one.”
Several of those supporters were in the gallery Wednesday, including Casey’s husband Charlottetown MP Sean Casey, while the couple’s two sons were watching the announcement online.
During the announcement, Casey thanked her family and fellow MLAs, past and present, for their support through the years and said she was grateful to the courtesy shown to her from both sides of the house.
“We may have differences of opinion (but) we can agree that every member of this house is here to serve and improve the lives of the people of P.E.I.,” said Casey. “It has been a tremendous privilege to represent Charlottetown-Lewis Point and I will be forever grateful for the important responsibility my constituents placed in me to be their voice.”
