Duncan’s exit creates uncertainty

NDP MP’s riding work earned her loyalty of constituents: Henderson

The next federal election just became more interesting in Edmonton after Linda Duncan, Alberta’s only federal NDP MP, announced Tuesday she will not seek reelection in 2019.

The race to succeed Duncan will surely be closely watched. The riding was once held by Rahim Jaffer, who was elected as a Reform MP in 1997 before the riding swung to the left for the NDP in 2008. Provincially, the area is represented by NDP Premier Rachel Notley.

City Coun. Ben Henderson, who represents much of the same area, expects it’s likely all federal parties will see hotly contested nominations in Edmonton Strathcona.

Many people voted for Duncan, not necessarily because she ran under the NDP banner, but because of her involvement in the community and hard work in her constituency office, Henderson said. That played out in votes. “Once she was elected, there was a loyalty to her.”

That means the riding ’s future is uncertain. “It may have a lot to do with who decides to run.”

One potential prominent candidate, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, said he is not running for the federal seat.

“I’ve got plenty to do here,” he said outside council’s urban planning committee meeting Tuesday.

As for Duncan, Iveson said, “While we haven’t seen eye to eye on every issue, her service to the country is noteworthy.”

After making the announcement, Duncan, who has been commuting to and from Ottawa nearly every week, said, “As of this October, I will have been elected for 10 years. I think that’s enough for anyone.”

She will be age 70 by the time Canadians next go to the polls in October 2019.

Duncan announced her decision on social media Tuesday.

“I have been deeply touched by every single person who has thanked me for my service, or said they hoped I will run again in 2019,” she wrote. “It is the wonderful people of Edmonton Strathcona that have kept me energized.”

Duncan has represented Edmonton Strathcona since 2008, winning three times in some of the most-watched races in the province. She narrowly beat Jaffer in 2008, then widened her lead over challengers in the following elections.

In an interview, Duncan said she made her decision after talking with constituents she feels would make excellent Members of Parliament. “I’m fully confident there are some incredible people waiting in the wings.”

REFRAMING ENVIRONMENTAL DEBATE

Looking back at 10 years, the former environmental lawyer said she’s most proud of pushing the Environmental Bill of Rights, which she tabled three times in the House of Commons. It has not been adopted, but she’s still hoping to get some of that environmental justice approach incorporated into the Liberal Bill C-69 heading to the Senate.

Michael DeMoor, political scientist at The King’s University, pointed to the Environmental Bill of Rights as one of Duncan’s biggest contributions. It had the potential to reframe the environmental debate.

Currently, politicians talk about trade-offs between people and the environment. Duncan’s bill brought those together, said DeMoor. It said people have a right to a healthy environment — to clean air and water, a concept many in Alberta can get behind.

It would have set up a legal framework to allow residents to hold the government accountable when their environmental rights were not respected.

But in DeMoor’s view, the effort “hit a wall ... Even her own party’s rhetoric didn’t change.”

Instead, the federal NDP debated the Leap Manifesto, which turned many Albertans off with its focus on renewable energy and a quick phase-out of oil and gas.

Duncan said she’s also been honoured to represent the local Ukrainian community, monitoring their elections, and to speak up for the agriculture sector, especially for better access to rail and a fair deal in trade negotiations.

She will continue as MP for the area until the next election. After that, Duncan said she’ll buy a dog from a rescue organization and spend more time with her brother and niece.

I have been deeply touched by every single person who has thanked me for my service, or said they hoped I will run again in 2019.