When ever the next federal election is called, the Kamloops – Thompson-Cariboo riding will have a new Member of Parliament.

Cathy McLeod took to twitter to say she will not be running again, saying its been an honour and a privilege to serve the area over the last 12 years.

“As I go throughout the riding, I look at the many initiatives that we worked on together, the wonderful people I’ve met, and of course in Ottawa the opportunity to make a real difference on the national stage in terms of influencing the direction of our country,” McLeod said.

A member of the Conservative Party, McLeod was first elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2011, 2015, and 2019.

“I want to thank the people in my riding office and in Ottawa who have done so much over the years. The party support locally and in Ottawa again who’ve been behind me and most of all the constituents who have had faith in me for four elections,” she added.

Prior to being elected an MP, McLeod was a registered nurse, a healthcare administrator, and also served as mayor of Pemberton, and a Director of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

As an MP, McLeod had several roles since she was first elected, including as Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Forestry and Mining) while in opposition.

While in government, McLeod was the Parliamentary Secretary to several Cabinet Ministers, including the Minister of Health, the Minister of Labour and Western Economic Diversification, and the Minister of National Revenue.

“I hope to write a few more chapters in my life before the final conclusion, and I thank you all so very much,” she added.

Today I am announcing that I will not be putting my name forward in the next election. pic.twitter.com/2ZbUsFjkfB

— Cathy McLeod MP (@Cathy_McLeod) February 4, 2021