Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay Charlie Angus is seen during a news conference on Parliament Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The NDP member of parliament that recently introduced a private members bill which would outlaw the promotion of oil and gas has announced he will not be running in the next federal election.
Charlie Angus, MP for Timmins-James Bay in Northern Ontario, is a 20-year veteran of the Commons. Two other NDP MPs, Rachel Blaney and Carol Hughes, also will not be running again. CTV News reports, “Nearly a quarter of the NDP’s caucus have announced they are set to step down, or have done so already.”
That bill, C-372, An Act Respecting Fossil Fuel Advertising, hasn’t gotten very far. As of April 4, it had only received first reading on Feb. 5. And as it stands right now, “outside the order of precedence,” it is unlikely to go much further any time soon.
Here was his press release when the bill was introduced in early February:
OTTAWA— On Tuesday, NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) discussed his private member’s bill to stop the misleading advertising and promotion of fossil fuels in Canada.
The move comes after documents revealed that Big Oil knew the harm to their products as far back at 1954 but still spent billions of dollars in advertising campaigns to mislead the public and cover up the clear risks posed to public health and the planet.
MP Angus stood with health-care professionals and other advocates.
“Pollution from Canada’s oil and gas industry is not just killing the planet, it is harming people. Trudeau’s Liberals have just sat by and given Big Oil a free ride,” Angus said. “Every year, 34,000 people die prematurely in Canada from fossil fuel pollution, and yet the Big Oil lobby continues to pump enormous sums in to advertising campaigns to falsely claim the benefits of allowing even more burning of fossil fuels.”
Passage of Bill C-372 will mean that no fossil fuel company will be able to advertise, promote their products, nor mislead the public about the health and environmental threats posed by the burning of fossil fuels, which the World Health Organization now says is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. The legislation will protect Canadians from the growing health effects caused by the burning of fossil fuels and prevent the public from being deceived or misled about the health and environmental effects of fossil fuel use.
“While the Liberals and Conservatives cover for Big Oil, the NDP is standing up to corporate greed and fighting for the health and wellbeing of Canadians,” stated Angus.
If that bill ever passes, ads like the ones below could incur up to a half million dollar fine. If Angus was successful, the four ads in total seen on this story webpage could incur a total of two million dollars in fines:
- 0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click
- 0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0076 Latus only0076 Latus only
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
- 0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click
- 0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0076 Latus only0076 Latus only
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
- 0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click
- 0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0076 Latus only0076 Latus only
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
This is what he posted on his official Facebook page on April 4:
April 2024 marks the official end of the Timmins-James Bay riding. The Federal Electoral Boundary Commission has ruled that this constituency, already bigger than the UK, will undergo dramatic changes. The new riding of Mushkegowuk-Kapuskasing-Timmins will be even larger, with the addition of many new communities spread out over an additional 20,000 square kilometers of territory.
One political era is ending, and another begins.
As part of this renewal, I have decided not to run for re-election. After seven elections, 20 years of service in Parliament, and the privilege of being the longest-serving MP in Timmins history, it is time to pass on the baton.
For representative democracy to succeed, strong relationships and interactions between MPs and constituents are essential. It is about trust and the ability to engage with constituents on their turf. In considering the task of starting over in so many new communities spread over such a vast region, I recognize the need for new energy.
People tend to think of politics as the drama within the so-called Ottawa bubble. But for me, politics has always been rooted in the communities of Northern Ontario. I am no stranger to travelling hundreds of kilometres through snowstorms or to constituency meetings by helicopter, prop plane, bus, train, and freighter canoe. It has resulted in too many close calls on the white-knuckle highways of Northern Ontario.
The travel and the countless days away from home were worth it. The people of our region gave me a powerful education about what politics really means and why it matters. They shared their life stories over coffee in their kitchens. They invited me to join their celebrations at the Legion Hall and community arenas.
I will never forget the hours my team spent trying to help during the floods, evacuations, horrific suicide crises and, more recently, the emergence of climate fires. Throughout it all, I was able to be a witness to the power of hope, determination, and the fundamental dignity of the people of the north. I am proud of the projects and investments that improved life in our region.
I am incredibly proud of my team, who were there to help those who were falling through the cracks. My team was there to serve working-class, rural, and Indigenous people with the integrity they deserved. Those voters put their trust in me, and I did my utmost to live up to their faith through my work in the constituency and Parliament.
The success of this long political journey was only possible due to the sacrifices of my family. Long ago, they got used to an absent father and husband. I missed countless family milestones because I was hundreds of kilometres away at events. Even when I was home, I was perpetually distracted by emails and phone calls.
After twenty years of being a part-time family man, I owe a lot of back time to people I truly love.
So, what does this mean for the New Democratic Party?
This is an excellent time to welcome a new candidate. The new riding of Mushkegowuk-Kapuskasing-Timmins features much stronger NDP polling opportunities. Our party has a record of success in bringing to the people—from establishing dental and pharmacare to pushing for peace in Gaza. We followed through on our promises in the last election, and the region has an incredible team of volunteers.
The process of choosing another candidate will be a time for renewal and new ideas, and I am encouraged by the possibilities of what comes next.
As for me, I will continue to find ways to advocate for Indigenous and Northern issues. The climate crisis is an all-hands-on-deck moment. I started in grassroots activism and am excited to return to those roots. And yes, there will be more gigs, more books, more historical projects, and more shit disturbing.
It has been the great honour of my life to represent and serve the constituents of Timmins-James Bay. I look forward to serving out my term with fire in my belly and determination to make this Parliament work for the benefit of the Canadian people.
I thank everyone who has put their trust in me.
– Charlie
Here’s one more ad promoting oil and gas, for good measure:
- 0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online0084 EMP Metals Pipeline Online
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click
- 0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline0082 CsHM 2024 Pipeline
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0076 Latus only0076 Latus only
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001