Victoria MP Denise Savoie announced Thursday she is resigning from politics at the end of August because of health reasons.
The 69-year-old New Democrat said after serving six years in the House of Commons and almost 13 years as an elected official she is retiring after a reality check from her doctor.
“My doctor gave me a health warning this spring and recommended that I adopt a more balanced lifestyle, without the travel and physical demands of the job of an MP from Western Canada. I am therefore resigning as the Member of Parliament for Victoria,” Savoie said in a release.
Savoie was the first woman from Victoria ever to be elected to the House of Commons and said she leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments and improvements to the city.
“I am proud that I was able to secure federal infrastructure funding for the Johnson Street Bridge and sewage treatment. In the House of Commons, I introduced legislation and motions that reflected Victoria’s values, such as creating a national child care program and banning tankers from our sensitive coastal waters,” Savoie said.
Savoie was first elected in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2011. Most recently she was appointed Deputy Speaker.
