Navdeep Bains steps down as federal innovation and science minister
Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry Navdeep Bains announced he is stepping down from his post and will not run in the next federal election.
He will, however, remain on as MP for the riding of Mississauga-Malton until then.
In his announcement, Bains cited wanting to spend more time with his family as the primary reason for his decision.
“My family is the most important thing in my life [and] they have sacrificed so much,” said Bains. “This last year has been hard on families [and] my daughters, who are in Grade 5 and Grade 8, have needed me more in the last year, and I’ve needed them too.”
As such, he continued, “it’s time for me to put my family first, and I couldn’t be happier [about this decision].”
Bains said he’s grateful for the trust shown to him by his community, and to Prime Minister Trudeau “for giving me the opportunity to serve Canadians for five years, as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry. It has been a tremendous honour to serve you and this country.”
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During a press conference on Tuesday morning, Trudeau said Bains “has worked tirelessly to build a better Canada for everyone. He led the way with investments, in cutting-edge Canadian science, and in local economic growth with the Innovation Superclusters.
With Bains’ departure from the position, Trudeau said François-Philippe Champagne, currently Minister of Foreign Affairs, will become Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“In his new role, Minister Champagne will rely on his extensive business experience in the fields of energy, engineering, and innovation to assist our economic recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic, create new jobs for Canadians, and grow our middle class,” said Trudeau. “He will also use his experience to help the government work with the manufacturing, natural resource, and energy sectors as they transition to meet a net-zero future.”
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