NDP's shrinking caucus is just coincidence, MP says
Outgoing NDP MP Linda Duncan says it's "purely coincidental" that so many of her fellow caucus members are leaving politics at the same time.
Duncan, the NDP's only MP from Alberta, and London-area MP Irene Mathyssen announced this week that they would not be running in 2019.
In addition to these two, the NDP will be without the services of at least five other MPs going into the 2019 federal election, including Ontario MP David Christopherson and Quebec MPs Hélène Laverdière and Roméo Saganash.
Duncan pointed to her decade as an MP as reason enough to seek out opportunities outside the House of Commons.
"I think that's long enough, frankly, for anyone," she told The House. "It's time to pass the torch."
She said she was not aware of any other MPs' plans to retire from caucus.
The NDP has dipped in the polls recently, and losing another familiar name on the ballot will not help the New Democrats in tight races next year.
However, Duncan maintains the caucus is united.