STATEMENT FROM THE HONOURABLE SHELLY GLOVER ON DECISION NOT TO SEEK REELECTION
Today, in the company of my family, I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to the House of
Commons in the upcoming election.
This day has come, like I said it always would. Ten years ago, I made the decision to become involved in
politics in order to: better protect our streets and communities; to give victims a stronger voice; and to ensure
that offenders are held to account. As a police officer, I had seen firsthand the need to improve the laws in
order to give law enforcement officers the tools they need to help others and to improve safety and security
across the country.
I took a break from policing to become a legislator and am proud to have been part of a government that
passed over thirty crime and justice bills. I will be returning to my work as a police officer, knowing that the tools
we need have been enhanced, such as:
creating new offences for luring a child, cyber bullying and prostitution;
strengthening the sex offender registry and the DNA databank;
ending 2 for 1 credit in sentencing and bringing truth in sentencing;
ending sentence discounts for multiple murders;
ending house arrest especially for sexual assault;
eliminating the faint hope clause for murderers;
scrapping the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry;
ensuring tougher penalties for serious offences like sex crimes against our children;
and
giving victims a voice in the Criminal Justice system with the Victims Bill of Rights.
I promised these things, I have delivered and I am extremely proud of these accomplishments. While I am
proud of this record and the time I spent in Ottawa, it is time to return to my previous life. This past 18 months
has been particularly difficult for me and my family as we have dealt with some very serious health issues while
I was away from home. As their wife, mother and grandmother (with a second grandchild on the way), my
family is very grateful that I am coming home.
It has been a tremendous honour to serve as the Member of Parliament for the residents of Saint Boniface and
I am lucky to have served under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I cannot thank him enough
for the opportunities he provided me. This truly has been a humbling experience.
I would never have had this experience were it not for the countless supporters who gave so much to help me
in this quest. My electoral district association and campaign team in particular have been my extended family
throughout. I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to them all and I can say with confidence that we are all in
good hands with Prime Minister Harper and the next Conservative MP for Saint Boniface.
As I conclude, I am reminded that we live in the greatest country in the world where a young pregnant teenager
from a broken home can strive to help others and become a woman sitting at the Cabinet table making
decisions that impact all of our lives. I am thankful every day for the faith and trust placed in me by the voters of
my riding and I will never forget this amazing experience.
I will be continuing my work as the MP for Saint Boniface, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official
Languages, and the Regional Minister for Manitoba until the next general election. I am pleased to continue my
work in planning Canada’s 150th Birthday as well as serving my constituents and other matters related to my
portfolio.
Thank you and God Bless Canada!