After 11 election wins, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is retiring
CBC
The longest-serving MP in Prince Edward Island history is hanging up his hat. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is ready to retire.
He will not be seeking the nomination in the eastern P.E.I. riding of Cardigan, which he has represented since 1988.
MacAulay is making a formal announcement in his riding on Saturday afternoon.
"It's a tough decision, but it's been a decision that has been very heavily discussed, with my family in particular, for 10 years," he said in an interview with CBC News.
"It's over 36 years. It's a long time, but I am somewhat sensible … so I knew this had to happen."
MacAulay joins about a dozen high-profile recent Trudeau cabinet ministers not seeking re-election, including former housing minister Sean Fraser, former heritage minister Pablo Rodriguez, Justice Minister Arif Virani and former labour minister Seamus O'Regan.
The 78-year-old said he made up his mind months ago, before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to resign. He says both he and his family feel it's time to step away from federal politics.
MacAulay grew up on a dairy and seed potato farm in the small, eastern P.E.I. community of Midgell. He married his wife, Frances, in 1972 and they raised their three daughters at the same homestead, farming until the mid-90s.
They still own the farm, leasing out the 450 acres.
MacAulay credits his wife for much of his success.
"I often say she could drive a combine, milk cows and have dinner with the Queen — and she did all of that," he said.
His first campaign saw him run against Pat Binns, who would later become P.E.I. premier. MacAulay ran under John Turner's anti-free trade banner. And while the Liberal campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, MacAulay won his seat in the first of 11 consecutive elections.
"I knew I had a lot to learn," he said. "I came into it as a greenhorn and most people didn't know who I was. But you work hard and things happen."
He is known to be present in the riding: attending every major birthday, anniversary celebration and church supper.
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