Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Pam Damoff will not be seeking re-election in the next federal vote, citing "politics is no longer for me."
In a letter from MP Damoff titled Even great chapters come to an end: I will not be seeking re-election in the next election, Damoff said the "hyper-partisan nature of politics today" is not something she sees herself serving in.
"Unfortunately, the toxic drive for social media likes and clips among elected officials has hindered constructive conversations, exacerbated differences between us, and diminished our capacity to show empathy towards each other," said Damoff.
"The threats and misogyny I have experienced as a Member of Parliament are such that I often fear going out in public, and that is not a sustainable or healthy way to live."
Elected in 2015, Damoff served as MP for the past nine years for Oakville North—Burlington. Before that, she was a town councillor in Oakville from 2010 to 2015. She also sat on the Oakville Public Library Board, Oakville Tourism Partnership, Budget Committee of the Town of Oakville, and was a co-founder of Cycle Oakville.
"I don’t know yet what the next chapter will be for me," said Damoff "but I do know that it will be in a role that will make a difference in the lives of others, as I have always strived to do. Sadly, I feel politics is no longer the best venue for me to do that in."
Oakville News has reached out to MP Damoff for comment and will update this story once one is received.