‘Elbows up’: Former N.S. Liberal MP Sean Fraser says he’s running again

Former Liberal MP Sean Fraser says he will seek re-election after receiving a call from Liberal Leader Mark Carney to help in the fight against U.S. tariffs.

It appears Nova Scotia Liberal MP Sean Fraser has changed his mind about retiring from politics and will run in the upcoming federal election after all.

“Well folks, it’s elbows up,” said Fraser in a Facebook post Tuesday.

“I will be the Liberal candidate in Central Nova during this federal election.”

Fraser said Liberal Leader Mark Carney called him Monday and asked him to “join the team that will be responding to this unprecedented economic threat from the United States.”

“There is too much at stake in this election for me to be comfortable sitting on the sidelines,” he said in the post.

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Back in December, Fraser said he made the decision not to run again while recovering from a back surgery operation, saying he wanted to spend more time with his kids at home.

“PM Carney has assured me that we will work together to create better balance so that I can be an advocate for our region and province, and still be there as a Dad to my kids,” said the 40-year-old Fraser in his statement Tuesday.

“Honestly, it’s high time that we make these jobs sincerely family-friendly and I trust him to do it.”

In January, Fraser said he would support Carney in his run for the Liberal leadership, calling him “a seasoned professional who has the ability to go toe-to-toe with our American counterparts.”

Fraser was first elected as a Nova Scotia Liberal MP representing the Central Nova riding in 2015.He was re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

He quickly rose through the ranks of cabinet, holding several parliamentary secretary posts before being named immigration minister in 2021.

Fraser was tapped for the housing file two years later as the Liberals worked to tackle a national housing crisis.

Both Fraser and Carney may appear later today at an event in Nova Scotia.

Canadians will head to the polls on April 28.

With files from The Canadian Press

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