EDMONTON, AB – March 10, 2014 – Today, the Honourable Laurie Hawn, PC, CD, MP for Edmonton Centre, announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2015. Mr. Hawn ran unsuccessfully in 2004; but followed that up with electoral victories in 2006, 2008 and 2011, with increasing pluralities each time.
During his nine years and nine months in Parliament, Mr. Hawn will have performed in a variety of roles. He spent 3 ½ years as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence; chaired the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Clean Air Act; served on the Standing Committees on National Defence, Veterans Affairs, Public Safety and National Security, Health, Procedures and House Affairs, and Ethics. Mr. Hawn also led the Government side on the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Mission in Afghanistan and the Ad Hoc Committee on Taliban Detainees. Mr. Hawn was appointed to the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada in 2010, and that led to appointments previously reserved for cabinet ministers, including Treasury Board and two Treasury Board Cabinet Sub-Committees. Mr. Hawn also served as the Canadian Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defence, reporting directly to the Prime Minister on a wide variety of issues affecting the overall defence and security of North America.
“I have been extremely honoured and proud to serve the people of Edmonton Centre and our Government for nearly ten years. I appreciate the confidence that the Prime Minister has shown in me and I have immensely enjoyed being part of a great team of dedicated Canadians, who have brought positive change to Canada.”
Mr. Hawn has made it clear that he will serve out the remainder of his term and is dedicated to serving his constituents until October 2015. He also had praise for all Parliamentarians. “Everyone who comes to this place, regardless of party affiliation, comes to make a positive difference to Canada and all deserve credit and respect, despite our differences.”
Mr. Hawn, a thirty-year Air Force veteran, cited his involvement with the Canadian Armed Forces and his many visits to Afghanistan, including five Christmases with the troops, as highlights of his time in Parliament. “Our men and women in uniform have brought great benefit to people around the world and great credit to Canada. They deserve our gratitude and support while they serve and after they retire.”
Mr. Hawn, who will be 68 at the next election, said that it was simply time to move on and spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
“My wife, Judy, and I will have been working for a century between us and she will have taken a back seat to my careers for 47 years. It is time that I put her and our family in the front seat. You simply can’t do this job without family support. I do look forward to continuing to serve my community in other ways, and sincerely thank the people of Edmonton Centre for their trust and support, as well as my staff, Board and volunteers for their hard work and loyalty.”