YARMOUTH, N.S. — Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood says she has decided to withdraw her name from consideration in the upcoming nomination to select a Liberal candidate for the riding of West Nova.
“My decision to withdraw is the result of deep reflection over the last few months, on matters both personal and professional,” she said in a statement release on April 4. “How I can best serve the interests of my home – not just the Town of Yarmouth, where I am honoured to be Mayor, but the entire region of western Nova Scotia?
“Over the past six years I have developed strong relationships at the municipal, provincial and federal levels and have been entrusted with positions where my voice contributes to making those decisions that best improve the lives of the people in western Nova Scotia and beyond,” she added. “I have come to the realization that now is not the time to walk away from these positions and relationships – now is the time to build on them. So I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”
Mood had announced her intention to seek the federal Liberal nomination in January. She said she was humbled by the support and encouragement she had received, making her decision to withdraw a difficult one.
Mood says her decision is not tied to the SNC Lavalin affair that has dominated headlines in Ottawa.
"It has simply complicated the timing of my withdrawal because of course that would be an assumption," she said. "I'm staying because of the impact I can make locally and beyond in my present position. As I said, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
“I understand I may be disappointing those who have been working so hard on my behalf to secure the nomination,” she added. “I can assure my campaign team and the hundreds of supporters with whom I have personally connected, in my community and beyond, that the goal of building a stronger region is still the focus of my energy. And that work needs to happen at the municipal level – right where the people, the action, and my heart are.”
At the time Mood made her announcement to withdraw, so far two other people in the southwest region of the West Nova riding had announced their intentions to try and seek the Liberal nomination. They are Jason Deveau and Michael Drew.
The current MP, Colin Fraser, announced last year he would not be reoffering in the next federal election.
