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MP’s departure from Parliament for Queen’s Park a surprise for Rafferty

THUNDER BAY – John Rafferty says he’s surprised to see his best friend in Parliament give up his seat in Ottawa to chase a provincial position with the Liberals.
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MP John Rafferty (NDP, Thunder Bay-Rainy River) admits he was 'surprised' by NDP colleague Glenn Thibeault's decision to resign his federal seat in Sudbury to pursue a provincial by-election bid with the Liberals. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – John Rafferty says he’s surprised to see his best friend in Parliament give up his seat in Ottawa to chase a provincial position with the Liberals.

The NDP MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River commented Friday on the decision by colleague Glenn Thibeault to step aside from his post as Sudbury MP, in favour of running in an upcoming by-election for a spot in the Queen’s Park legislature.

“I’m surprised. It’s certainly not a decision I would make but I know there are a number of reasons why he probably made that decision,” Rafferty said.

Thibeault, who has served in the House of Commons since 2008 when both he and Rafferty were first elected, announced earlier this week he will be resigning to launch the Liberal by-election bid.

The move caught political observers in both Toronto and Ottawa, along with his constituents in Sudbury, by surprise.

It has been seen by many as a substantial blow to not only the provincial NDP, who are hoping to retain the seat vacated by MPP Joe Cimino just a few months into his term, but to the federal party less than a year before the next election.

Thibeault joins a list of six other former NDP MPs, including Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer, who have either resigned from the party caucus or from their position since being elected in 2011.

Rafferty maintained it’s not an indication of the ship sinking for the Official Opposition party, which polls are forecasting a return to third place.

He expects while there may not be resignations, a number of politicians from all sides of the house will choose to either end or change their political careers.

“I think you have to look at this in the whole sense of the federal scene. There are a number of politicians in our party and other parties who are now calling it quits as they head into the next election, many of whom have been there for more than 10 years,” he said.

“I think in the early part of 2015, not just with the NDP but Liberals and Conservatives, you’re going to see some more old-timers who say they aren’t to go through another election.”

The announcement was met with controversy in Ontario especially after former Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier, who lost in the June election by fewer than 1,000 votes, claimed he had been offered by the premier’s office a government position or appointment to not seek the nomination.

The bribery allegation resulted in the Progressive Conservatives reportedly asking the OPP to investigate while the NDP called on Elections Ontario to launch a probe.

Rafferty thinks there might be a simpler explanation for the switch.

Admitting being an Opposition representative is challenging and can take a toll over time, he said it is possible Thibeault might want to be in a position where it’s easier to influence change.

“It’s absolutely frustrating and it does wear on you. My staff and I get a lot of requests from people about issues that you know if you were part of the government you would be able to get those things done,” he said.

“I think there’s a natural inclination in politicians to gravitate to where they think they can do the most good. Probably in his case it’s provincial politics. Once you’ve been in for a while in a particular position in a level of government you do see that frustration and inability to get things done you know you need to get done.”

 





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