PC MLA Jamie Fox resigning from P.E.I. legislature, intends to run federally
Progressive Conservative Jamie Fox is resigning as the MLA for Borden-Kinkora, the P.E.I. electoral district he has represented since 2015.
He announced his decision at the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly Friday afternoon, saying the resignation will be effective after Remembrance Day ceremonies in his district.
"It is a privilege being elected to this chamber three times, and having the opportunity to work with each and every one of you," Fox told the legislature. "I'm accepting a new chapter as the first declared candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada in Atlantic Canada, in the electoral district of Malpeque."
The next federal election must take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
After Fox's announcement, Premier Dennis King stood in the legislature to thank him for his service.
"I'm sad to lose him as a colleague," said King. "I'm excited that he is taking on a new, challenging endeavour in a time when we need people to put their names on the ballot, to put their hat in the ring, to try to aspire to greater things for the citizens we serve."
Jamie Fox tweeted this photo of himself with the federal Conservative leader when Pierre Poilievre visited P.E.I. in August. At right are Poilievre's wife Anaida Poilievre and Fox's wife Deborah Fox. (Jamie Fox/Twitter)
Fox was a gas station owner and the former Borden-Carleton police chief when he won his provincial seat in 2015. Shortly afterward, he was named the interim leader of the P.E.I. Progressive Conservative Party and held that role while the party was the Official Opposition from 2015 to 2017.
When he was re-elected provincially in 2019, it was as a member of Premier Dennis King's government. King made him minister of fisheries and communities.
Fox won his district for a third time in the general election earlier this year, but when King announced his new cabinet, the Borden-Kinkora MLA was not included.
This Elections Canada map shows the federal riding of Malpeque in central Prince Edward Island. (Elections Canada)
The Conservative Party of Canada confirmed Friday that Fox is indeed the official candidate for the federal riding of Malpeque — a central P.E.I. jurisdiction that makes up all the areas and communities between Summerside and Charlottetown.
"Jamie is ready to fight for the people of P.E.I. and bring home lower prices and powerful paycheques," a news release from the party said. "Jamie Fox will be a tremendous asset to the team and a strong advocate for the people of Malpeque."
In the last federal election in 2021, Jody Sanderson was the Conservative candidate for Malpeque. With 4,832 votes, Sanderson placed second to current Liberal MP Heath MacDonald, who earned 5,832 votes.
