Justice Minister Arif Virani and Trade Minister Mary Ng to Exit Federal Politics
As the Liberal Party searches for a new leader, two more key members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet have announced they will not seek re-election. Justice Minister Arif Virani and International Trade Minister Mary Ng confirmed their decisions on Monday, joining a growing list of high-profile Liberals stepping away from federal politics.
Virani, who has served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada since 2023, described his departure as a difficult but necessary decision, citing the personal sacrifices his family has made for his political career.
“I say this with a heavy heart, and after considerable soul-searching for the past several weeks,” Virani posted on X (formerly Twitter). “But after the next election, my fight for Canada will no longer take place from inside the House of Commons.”
The Toronto-based MP, who represents Parkdale-High Park, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Trudeau for the opportunity to serve first as parliamentary secretary and later as a cabinet minister.
“My family has given so much to allow me to pursue my dreams of serving not only our community but our nation. It is my turn now to give back to the people I love the most,” he added.
Virani’s departure is expected to trigger a competitive Liberal nomination race in his riding, which was previously held by the NDP before the Liberals won it back in 2015.
International Trade Minister Mary Ng, a longtime Liberal cabinet member, also announced she will not run in the next election, though she did not provide a reason for her departure.
“I’m deeply grateful to my dedicated Constituency and Ministerial teams, my cabinet colleagues who exemplified true teamwork, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose leadership reminds us daily that our mission is to make Canada better for everyone,” Ng wrote in her statement.
Ng, who entered Parliament in 2017 after winning a byelection in Markham-Thornhill, has served in cabinet since 2018, playing a central role in Canada’s international trade and economic development strategies.
The departures of Virani and Ng add to a growing list of Liberal MPs and ministers stepping away ahead of the next federal election. With Trudeau’s leadership in flux, and the party gearing up for a new direction, the latest exits will further reshape the political landscape for the Liberals.
With multiple cabinet members choosing not to seek re-election, questions continue to mount about the party’s future, its electoral prospects, and who will step up to fill key leadership roles as Canada moves toward its next federal vote.