NEWS RELEASE
PETER VAN LOAN, MP FOR YORK-SIMCOE
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SUTTON – Today, the Hon. Peter Van Loan, MP for York-Simcoe, announced that he will be retiring from the House of Commons, effective Sept. 30, 2018.
Van Loan is returning to the practice of municipal and planning law. He will be joining the leading firm in the municipal law area, Aird and Berlis, as a partner. Van Loan made the announcement at the summer gathering of York-Simcoe Conservatives at his farm.
Van Loan has represented the constituency of York-Simcoe since 2004, and served in the Conservative cabinet from 2006 to 2015, including as the longest-serving Conservative government House leader in Canadian history. He also served in portfolios including international trade, public safety, intergovernmental affairs and sports.
Van Loan has a track record of delivering results. As House leader in the Stephen Harper government, he guided the passage of close to 200 bills into law. This included legislation to lower taxes, balance the budget, tackle crime, modernize Canada's copyright laws, implement free trade agreements and improve project approvals processes.
Locally, Van Loan delivered for Lake Simcoe's environment, with the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund of $60 million, a ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergent, a ban on dumping waste from water vessels, and mandatory rules to protect the lake ecosystem from invasive species.
He also delivered dozens of important local projects including the Highway 404 extension, the Bradford library, the Bradford Leisure Centre, the expansion of the East Gwillimbury Recreation Centre, the ROC in Georgina, the Pefferlaw Ice Pad roof, and the De La Salle Park improvements.
"One of the most difficult decisions for a member of Parliament is when to retire. I am confident that now is that time for me," said Van Loan. "I am proud of what I have accomplished, and I have never tired of the job. It is a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to serve in the House of Commons – but it is an even greater honour to be able to represent the people of York-Simcoe. The people of our community are hard-working, honest, proud Canadians, striving to build a brighter future for themselves and their families. I have been pleased to stand up for their interests for the past decade and a half."
Van Loan plans to remain active in the community and in the Conservative party. "I will be returning to working as a party volunteer again – a role I first started in the 1975 provincial election. I plan to help elect the next Conservative MP for York-Simcoe, and I am enthusiastically looking forward to the success of the Conservative party and Leader Andrew Scheer in winning the 2019 federal election."
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