6-term Vancouver MP Libby Davies won’t run in 2015 election

New Democrat MP Libby Davies announced Friday she will not be running in next year’s election. Dec. 12, 2014. (CTV)

New Democrat MP Libby Davies says after 18 years representing her riding, “it’s time to call it a day.”

The longtime member for the Vancouver East riding announced Friday she will not be running in next year’s election.

Davies, who has represented the riding since 1997, said it’s time to pass the torch.

“It has been the most extraordinary experience to represent the people of Vancouver East,” she told reporters.

“I have loved my work both in the community and in Ottawa and I thank the good folks of east Vancouver who elected me six times as their representative.”

The 61-year-old said she’s proud that she took on tough issues like drug reform even though she was told she’d never be re-elected if she did. She became an advocate for the harm reduction approach to illicit drug use, campaigning tirelessly for Canada’s first supervised safe injection site. Insite eventually opened in the Downtown Eastside in 2003.

“The people of east Vancouver have stood by me. I deeply appreciate how they have placed their support and confidence in me throughout my many years in office,” she said.

Soon after the announcement, federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair wished her the best.

“Libby is not only a wonderful and dedicated colleague, she is a cherished friend,” he tweeted. “I wish her the very best in her life after politics.”

The longtime politician served as NDP house leader from 2003 to 2011, all while her party was the minority. She’s the second woman ever to hold the job, and the first openly gay female politician in the House of Commons. She has also been the NDP Deputy Leader since 2007.

Before running federally, Davies ran for city council in Vancouver at age 23, and again two years later. After putting in time on the Vancouver Park Board and council through the 1980s and early 1990s Davies took a run at mayor in 1993.