Burgeo-La Poile MHA Andrew Parsons announces resignation, exit from politics
CBC
Andrew Parsons, Newfoundland and Labrador's most recent energy minister and MHA for Burgeo-La Poile, has announced his resignation as he steps away from politics.
Parsons first announced he wouldn't be running in the next general election in September, citing a desire to spend more time with a young family. On Thursday, he announced he'll be out of office effective immediately.
"I feel good, because I feel like I'm going out on my sort of terms. I feel like we've gotten done the files we need to get done. I feel good about what we've managed to accomplish," Parsons told CBC News.
Parsons entered provincial politics in 2011. He followed his father, Kelvin, who held the same seat in the House of Assembly for 13 years.
The next MHA of the district will be the first non-Parsons since 1999.
Andrew Parsons held a number of posts while the Liberals were the Official Opposition, including serving as the Opposition House leader. In government since 2015, he has been government House leader, and has had cabinet portfolios in justice, municipal affairs and environment.
Parsons said he's known for a while that he was ready to move on, but largely stayed on due to his connection to outgoing Premier Andrew Furey. Furey's last day as premier is Friday, and Parsons said he didn't want to burden the next leader — either John Abbott or John Hogan — with his exit.
"Me and [Furey] are extremely close.… He knew last February I was ready to walk away," he said. "He's been so good. It's been an honour to serve him."
Whoever the next premier, his job will come with choosing a new cabinet — including filling the now-empty ministerial spot for the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology.
Parsons said his exit won't trigger a byelection, and his seat will instead be filled in the general election that needs to take place this fall. His constituency assistant will stay in her role, he said, and he assured residents they are in good hands.
He told CBC he's looking forward to what comes next, adding he wouldn't be opposed to returning to his previous profession as a lawyer.
"I'm going to wake up tomorrow and take my kids to school. And then, I don't know," he said.
"I was hoping to see the Montreal [Canadiens] game, but they lost that."
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