Liberal MP John Aldag announces resignation, looks to run for provincial NDP in B.C.

Liberal MP John Aldag has announced he'll resign his seat later this month, with the intention of securing a nomination as an NDP candidate in the next provincial election in British Columbia.

Aldag, who represented the riding of Cloverdale—Langley City from 2015-19 and then from 2021 to the present, plans to resign on May 27. He was defeated in the 2019 election by Conservative Tamara Jansen but regained the Lower Mainland-area seat in 2021.

"I have had no greater honour in my life than to serve for almost seven of the past nine years as your representative in Ottawa," Aldag wrote in a statement directed to constituents.

He told CBC News that following his resignation, he will file papers to try to win a nomination to run for the NDP in B.C.'s upcoming provincial election, scheduled for no later than Oct. 19.

Aldag's resignation was first reported by the Abbotsford News. The vacancy will eventually trigger a byelection for the federal seat, the 11th such campaign since the 2021 federal election.

In his statement, Aldag noted a number of legislative efforts he had worked on over the years in Ottawa, including on cancer and environmental protections.

"As my time as your member of Parliament comes to an end, I offer my gratitude to everyone who supported me over these past seven years, from my constituency team to my campaign team and numerous volunteers. But mostly, thank you Cloverdale—Langley City for having given me the opportunity to serve you," he wrote.

Aldag, who worked for more than three decades for Parks Canada prior to his time in politics, will now look to join the provincial New Democrats, who are locked in a tight battle with a resurgent B.C. Conservative Party, according to public opinion polls.

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Campaigns in Cloverdale—Langley City have been closely fought during the previous two elections, with Aldag losing by fewer than 1,500 votes in 2019 and winning by about 1,650 votes in 2021.

The federal Conservative Party currently holds a strong lead across B.C., public polling suggests.

In a statement to CBC News, the Liberal Party of Canada thanked Aldag for his service and expressed confidence in retaining the seat.

"When the time comes, progressives in Cloverdale—Langley City are ready to elect another strong Liberal MP to be their voice in Ottawa to build more homes, invest in better public health care and deliver fairness for every generation," the party said.