Larry Miller, MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, announced today (Jan.18/19) that he will not be seeking re-election in the Federal election this year.
After a 28-year career in politics, including 15 at the Federal level and 13 years in municipal politics and 10 different elections, Miller says he is ready to retire and spend more time with his family.
In an emotional speech, he said that, “It has truly been an honour and a privilege to have served the great people of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound for the past 15 years and it is something I have never taken lightly. I take great pride in what we have all been able to accomplish over this time and thank all constituents for allowing me to be their voice in Ottawa.”
In his 13-year career in municipal politics in Keppel Township, Georgian Bluffs and Grey County, Miller held the positions of Councilor, Deputy Reeve and Reeve, first Mayor of Georgian Bluffs and Warden of Grey County (2002). When he decided to enter federal politics, he was first elected at the federal level in 2004 and went on to win consecutive elections in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2015
“I have no regrets whatsoever and am happy to be leaving on my own terms,” added Miller. “I will continue to offer advice if asked and expect a contest for nominations. The hardest thing I have ever done is to sit in Ottawa and watch the mess that is being made. I didn’t like Pierre Trudeau but I respect him. I have zero respect for this Prime Minister. I am astounded at some of the stuff that is being done.”
“There are a lot of people who get involved in politics where it is their life-long goal but I can honestly say it was never mine. I decided to run when I saw there were issues.”
“What I have found to be upsetting is political correctness. I am a very candid guy. This country was built on immigration but one of my criticisms is how this government is handling immigration,” Miller said. “When somebody can walk across the border but it can take 66 days for a legal immigrant to be processed, then that’s wrong.”
Miller was never adverse to speaking his mind when it came to contentious issues. “When there was the issue of a woman who came here to this county, but when she went to receive her Canadian citizenship she refused to show her face, that ticked me off. Unfortunately, much of what I said was taken out of context – but that’s old news.”
When asked what he was most proud of in his political career, Miller replied, “I’ve stayed true to my roots and that’s hard to do. Some people who go to Ottawa forget where they came from. I’ve always been an advocate for the little guy because I consider myself one of them. I’ve had a lot of dirt and cow manure under my fingernails and, like most Canadians, I’m not afraid to work.”
