Ontario Liberal MPP Marie-France Lalonde to run for federal seat

Liberal MPP Marie-France Lalonde smiles during a news conference at the Queens Park Legislature in Toronto on Thursday Nov. 1, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Liberal MPP Marie-France Lalonde is jumping into federal politics, announcing today that she will seek the nomination for the Ottawa-area riding of Orleans.

Lalonde was one of just seven provincial Liberals who held onto their seats after a bruising election defeat that saw the former government reduced to a collection of independent MPPs.

In a news release issued Monday, Lalonde said that she hopes to continue being a strong voice for her constituents at the federal level.

“I have the experience to help Team Trudeau continue the progressive work of a liberal government for our region and for our country,” she said in the statement.

“I am asking the people of Orleans to put their faith in me again. The federal government is a major employer in our riding, and I want to fight for Orleans and deal with issues that matter to us—as employees, as citizens, for growth, for jobs and for a prosperous community.”

A former social worker and co-owner of a retirement home, Lalonde’s first foray into politics saw her elected as a MPP in 2014.

She went on to serve in Premier Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet as both minister for community safety and corrections and francophone affairs.

Since the election, Lalonde began entertaining the idea of running for party leader and only began considering federal politics after Liberal MP Andrew Leslie announced he would no longer seek re-election in Orleans.

Lalonde indicated to reporters last week that she will wait out the results of the riding nomination before deciding whether to step down as an MPP.