NEW GLASGOW, N.S. - Peter MacKay won't be seeking the Conservative Party leadership.
MacKay issued a statement Sept. 12 saying he has decided against it.
“After much soul searching, advice from trusted friends, and weighing of the impact on my young family, I have decided not to seek the leadership of the Party,” MacKay stated “I choose not to run at this time for some of the same reasons I stated when I chose not to seek re-election last year. My family is my number one priority. The
love and support of my wife, Nazanin, has been unwavering and we are blessed with two, healthy, vibrant children; Kian, aged 3, and Valentia, 11 months, who need our full attention at this tender age. While the opportunity is exciting and the reward compelling, I feel it would be asking too much of them to jump back into politics right now and the heat of a leadership campaign with all that it entails.”
MacKay said he had consulted broadly over the summer beginning with my family and colleagues.
Advertisement - Article continues below
“I had numerous meetings, both arranged and spontaneous, with many people encouraging me to seek the position of leader of our Party. I felt that I owed it to the many supporters, and frankly to myself, to take the time over the summer to consider this path.”
But he said politics is a serious profession and a calling of the highest order that requires tremendous commitment and effort, particularly in the role of leader.
“Having run for federal leadership successfully back in 2003, I know the demands and time away from home that it requires,” he said.
He thanked those who have supported him including his family and
MacKay is currently working with Baker & McKenzie LLP, a lawfirm based in Toronto.
“I am full of admiration for those who will seek the leadership and I stand ready to work with whoever the new leader will be. I am optimistic about the future of the Conservative Party of Canada; I am confident that with a steady, modern, interim leader in Rona Ambrose, many new and veteran Members of Parliament, and with an impressive and well-financed level of national support, the Party stands as a strong, loyal opposition and alternative Government.
“I am proud of our record as a Government and more so of the Nation-building vision Conservatives have brought to Canadian politics since the founding of our country. I believe in our strong, united, National Conservative Party, and know that we will continue to offer sound leadership, principled policy and governance in the future.”