Gary Vidal, a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), has announced that he will not be seeking re-election due to the party’s decision to not hold an open nomination in the newly created Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake riding. The riding boundaries have changed drastically, and Vidal will no longer reside within the electoral district he currently serves, but rather in the new riding of Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake.
Vidal expressed disappointment that an open nomination would not be held, stating that it was not the outcome he had anticipated. He said, “I am not seeking re-election because I do not believe that the party’s decision to have a closed nomination in the new riding is in the best interests of the constituents.”
A party spokeswoman confirmed that Vidal had been offered the opportunity to run in his current riding, which has been redrawn but still includes most of his current constituents. However, Vidal said that he was born and raised in Meadow Lake, which is now part of the new riding, and that he feels a strong connection to the community.
Vidal’s decision follows his announcement earlier this year that he was stepping down as the Tories’ critic for Indigenous services in Parliament. He said at the time that he wanted to focus on his family and his work as an MP.
The new federal riding boundaries took effect on Monday. Vidal’s decision leaves the Conservative Party without a candidate in the new Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake riding.
