Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeood Announces She Won’t Seek Re-Election
The 19-year politician has officially endorsed business man Jay Chadha as Nepean PC candidate
By Charlie Senack
In a sudden move on Sept. 13, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod announced she would not seek re-election when provincial voters head back to the polls.
“I started as the youngest person in two Parliaments and I’m leaving as the longest-serving woman in this term,” MacLeod said in a video posted to social media. “It’s been an honour to serve you at Queen’s Park and in our community as a local representative, opposition critic, and cabinet minister.”
The Nova Scotia native served the riding of Nepean for 19 years, which also included Carleton up until 2018 when it became its own riding.
MacLeod said the decision came after a “summer of reflection” with family and friends. In April, the former Ontario cabinet minister said she wasn’t “going anywhere” during an event with Ontario Premier Doug Ford at Fallowfield United Church.
But a few months later MacLeod sent an email to supporters where she hinted it would be a tough election saying she decided to run.
“My seat is at risk, and it’s going to be a difficult fight in the next election. We just lost Kanata-Carleton – a seat we haven’t lost in decades. Every riding association in Ottawa is underfunded and they all need our help if we’re going to elect more Ontario PC candidates,” wrote MacLeod in June.
In her two and a half minute video, MacLeod referenced a number of her accomplishments including funding for the Strandherd Armstrong Bridge (now known as the Vimy Memorial Bridge), the Barnsdale interchange, and the future Barrhaven Downtown Centre.
MacLeod served in cabinet, first as the minister responsible for children, community, and social services, and Minister Responsible for woman’s issues. The five portfolios also covered immigration and anti-racism.
But her time in those positions came with much controversy. The Ontario Association for Behavioral Analysts said they received a threatening voicemail from the Nepean representatives office, and there were countless protests outside MacLeods then Fallowfield office when there were cuts to the autism funding program.
That led to a cabinet shuffle in 2019 where MacLeod was named as the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. That was a position she held through the COVID-19 pandemic, when many investments were made in the event and film industries.
That same year, MacLeod came under fire after allegedly calling former Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk a number of profanities. Melnyk complained to Premier, and MacLeod apologized for using “blunt language.” The apology was not accepted.
When MacLeod ran again during the 2022 election, the NDP revealed the Nepean PC riding association had paid Her $44,000 as a housing subsidy. That was in addition to the $26,000 housing allowance MPP’s receive. The news led to a scaled back campaign, but the incumbent MacLeod still won with 17,123 votes — about 39 per cent of all ballots cast. That was about five per cent more than Liberal candidate Tyler Watt, her shortest margin to victory.
Immediately after the election, MacLeod took some time off to address her mental health. At the time, she was also not given a cabinet position.
MacLeod has been vocal about her mental health struggles, addressing her 2014 depression diagnosis when she took the plaques off her office walls and felt like quitting. What followed was other diagnosis of bipolar disorder and a metabolic condition, which she’s been open about at summits and in her weekly podcast.
The 44th Ontario provincial election will need to be held on or before June 24, 2026, but there are rumors swirling that the premier might hold an early election next spring before federal voters head to the polls in the fall of 2025.
During a private event held at Barrhaven’s State & Main Restaurant, MacLeod endorsed Jay Chadha to be the Nepean PC candidate on the ballot. It’s unclear when a nomination vote will be held or if other names plan to enter the race.
Chadha, a local business man and project manager of rail operations for the City of Ottawa, unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2022 when he came in third place to David Hill. Chadha racked up 15 per cent of the vote.
“After much consideration I feel that Jay is the only candidate who can hold our voter coalition throughout all of Nepean. As a young father, businessman and community volunteer, Jay has been involved in every facet of Nepean life,” MacLeod wrote in an endorsement letter. “Whether he is sponsoring Barrhaven’s Canada Day, collecting food for our food cupboard or organizing major cultural events, Jay is always thinking about our community.”
MacLeod went on to say his campaigning experience from the municipal election helped Chadha understand how politics works. She referenced “controversial and poor decisions Ottawa Councillors are making with respect to Sprung Shelters, Photo Radar, Garbage pickup and transportation and transit.”
