another liberal to abandon the next election

Robillard leaving federal politics
April 4, 2007

OTTAWA (CP) - Longtime Liberal cabinet minister Lucienne Robillard says she will not run in the next federal election.

The Liberal deputy house leader is quitting after 12 years in Parliament representing a party stronghold in Montreal. Robillard, 61, was first elected to the Commons in 1995 and was the cabinet minister responsible for the campaign in the sovereignty referendum that federalists narrowly won.

Robillard held several other portfolios in Jean Chretien's government, including minister responsible for the treasury board and citizenship and immigration.

She spent nearly 20 years as a social worker before turning to provincial politics.

Robillard was elected to the Quebec legislature in 1989.