‘It comes as a bit of a shock’
Hants County reacts to MP Scott Brison announcing he won’t seek re-election
President of the Treasury Board Scott Brison has announced that his 22-year run as the MP for Kings-Hants will come to an end with the next federal election.
On Jan. 10, the Cheverie resident declared that he won’t be reoffering in 2019.
Although Brison made it known he was happy to represent the whole region and Canada as a nation in cabinet, it was clear that he had a soft spot for Hants County, his home, and of course “downtown Cheverie,” as he often jokingly refers to his stomping grounds.
Despite crossing the floor earlier in his career, voters ensured there was a seat with his name on it in Ottawa seven times and many of his stalwart supporters believe Brison’s inherent personable approach when talking to people, deep local knowledge and a dash of humour had a hand in his success.
For instance, when asked about his decision not to run again, Brison said with all of the ice on the ground, it’s just too slippery.
“This is a personal decision that Max and I have made for our family and, after 22 years of public service, I believe I’ve earned the right to concentrate and focus on my family,” said Brison.
“If you had asked me 15 years ago whether or not I would ever have children, I would have probably told you no. The opportunity just didn’t exist. Some people have children easily, some even by accident… so us having a family took a lot of work. Rose and Claire are miracles in our life. I want to be freer to focus on them.”
He’s deeply grateful to the people of Kings-Hants for the opportunity to serve them in Ottawa for as long as he has, Brison said.
“Public life is not a job, it’s a life, and it doesn’t just involve the person who is elected. It represents a significant sacrifice for his or her family,” he said.
But don’t expect Brison to remain idle for long.
“I’m not intending on sitting on the couch and eating Doritos and watching Netflix, not for very long,” he said. “I like to work. I get up at 5 a.m. every morning seven days a week. I will do something else and I suspect it’ll be in the private sector.”
Brison has a background in business, private equity and investment banking, but he’s not sure which field he’ll dive into next.
“I will always be a Hants Shore guy, and whatever I do, that doesn’t define me. I’m a product of the Hants Shore,” he said. “I’m a Cheverie boy and I always will be.”
Brison said he’s confident that Nova Scotia will have a strong voice in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
“There’s been no Prime Minister who has had the back of Atlantic Canadians more than Prime Minister Trudeau,” he said. “The investments in the communities of Kings-Hants are a testament to that.”
He said some of his proudest moments in politics have been helping people directly out of his constituency office navigate government programs and other issues.
“Some of those cases, which I obviously can’t speak about individually, really changed people’s lives,” he said. “I’m proud of that case work my constituency office has done such a great job with.”
He also cites the region’s growing wine sector as something he’s championed throughout his career.
Brison said he will continue to support the Liberal Party, and he suspects Kings-Hants will attract a strong candidate for the election.
Political reaction
Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said he was as surprised by Brison’s announcement as anyone else.
“Twenty-two years is a long time to be in the public service and he’s worked hard at that,” Porter said. “I wish him well in the future.”
Porter has known Brison since they went to high school together.
“Scott’s a guy I’ve known for many years and I appreciate the work he’s done on behalf of our residents,” he said.
Martha MacQuarrie, Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Kings-Hants and Kentville resident, said she respects Brison’s decision to focus on his family.
“I guess I can honestly say that I understand that he’s focusing on his family, his two small girls, and I certainly understand that, having raised a family myself,” MacQuarrie said. “I applaud him for the responsibility that family takes.”
MacQuarrie is now the only official candidate for Kings-Hants in the Oct. 19 election, but that likely won’t last for long.
“In my mind, that doesn’t lessen the work,” she said. “It takes going to the doorsteps. I was prepared to run against Scott, and I’m prepared now. There’s going to be somebody there come election day.”
Much of the public reaction to Brison’s announcement included wishing him well and hoping he enjoys spending time with his family.