Julian decides against running for NDP leadership
Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian has decided against running for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.
"I have decided that my role is to continue my work as interim caucus chair at this key point in our history and, as industry critic, to continue our work with other significant economic roles in our shadow cabinet to put in place strong alternatives to the current government on jobs and the economy," Julian said in a press release Tuesday.
He went on to thank his constituents and politicians at all levels of government who gave him strong support and encouragement, as well as five federal MPs, including Kennedy Stewart of Burnaby-Douglas, and many NDP activists in Quebec.
Julian said he particularly appreciated the support of his family including fiancee Limei Tian in making the difficult decision.
He also had a message for those entering the race.
"As a movement, I believe our challenge is to ensure that we build a Canada where every Canadian counts and no one in our country is left behind. That means engaging with social movements, the labour movement, the environmental movement, the community business sector, and excluded and marginalized groups throughout our country to continue the building of a broad, diverse and solid grass roots movement to win government in 2015," said Julian. "This is an exciting time in our movement's history. I am confident for the future."
Julian said the race has "terrific candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and expressed hope there will be a strong number of women candidates.
If he had run, it was anticipated Julian would have been a strong candidate, although maybe not favoured, because of his bilingual abilities, strong showings as a shadow cabinet critic for several ministries, and his communication skills.
newsroom@burnabynewsleader.com
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