Party surprised by Maguire’s decision not to run

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This article was published 24/03/2025 (189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon-Souris Member of Parliament Larry Maguire has announced he will not seek re-election in the April 28 federal election, citing health concerns that could impact his ability to participate in the upcoming campaign.

The decision, announced Sunday afternoon, was a “surprise” to many, including his fellow local Conservative party members and supporters.

Maguire told the Sun he had initially expected the undisclosed health issue to be minor but was informed by his medical team it would require a more significant procedure, necessitating a period of recovery. The news prompted him to reconsider his political future, ultimately leading to his decision to step away from public office.

“It was a surprise to me too on Friday afternoon when my medical team indicated that it would be more major than expected,” Maguire told the Sun on Sunday. “It’ll take some weeks to get over, and I won’t have the same energy for a couple of months.”

Maguire, who has served in both provincial and federal politics for nearly 26 years, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Brandon-Souris. He noted that while he had been prepared to run for re-election, the unexpected change in his health made him reconsider.

“I was prepared to run again if it hadn’t come to this, but I always knew there was a slight chance it would,” he said. “I prepared my family — my kids knew, my partner knew, and my brother knew. Not many other people outside of that.”

The timing of Maguire’s announcement caught many within the local Conservative association off-guard.

He informed the board shortly before the public statement was released on Sunday, Brandon-Souris Conservative Electoral District Association (EDA), president Jordan Sisson told the Sun.

“It was definitely a surprise, but his health comes first,” Sisson said. “We called a meeting where he asked that we bring together his board of directors for the EDA board, and he informed us at one o’clock. The announcement went out at 1:15.”

With the election just weeks away, Sisson acknowledged that the sudden decision presents challenges but assured there are mechanisms in place.

“The party has a structure in place that is ready to deal with these types of situations,” he said. “There will be a Conservative candidate running in this election in Brandon-Souris, and I assume we will get more details on that very soon.”

Despite stepping down, Maguire said he remains confident in his party’s ability to retain the seat in the next federal election.

“I am very sincere in my belief that this constituency will vote Conservative,” Maguire said. “Brandon-Souris has always been a strong Conservative riding, and I trust that the people here will see through any political rhetoric.”

He added he would support the Conservative candidate who succeeds him, “I may be out for a while due to my procedure, but I’ll still be involved and helping the team.”

From a political perspective, the timing of his resignation will likely create challenges for the Conservative Party, said Brandon University’s Department of Political Science chair Kelly Saunders.

“The fact that the resignation is coming the day the election has been called, I’m sure it’s going to throw them into — maybe not chaos — but certainly some disruptions,” she told the Sun.

She explained that parties typically want to have candidates and campaign teams in place early, especially in stronghold ridings like Brandon-Souris. With Maguire stepping down, the party must now conduct a nomination race, which could be complicated given the short election period.

When asked whether Maguire’s departure could affect the Conservative Party’s chances in the election, Saunders noted that Brandon-Souris has historically been a safe Conservative seat.

“As far as I can remember, the riding has only gone Liberal once, and that was during the complete collapse of the Progressive Conservatives in 1993 under Kim Campbell,” she said. However, she acknowledged that political landscapes could shift rapidly.

“If the Liberals were to bring in a star candidate with strong name recognition and a well-prepared campaign team, and if the Conservatives struggle to find a similarly strong candidate, then things could get interesting,” she said.

Saunders also acknowledged that Maguire’s departure would leave a significant gap, particularly given his strong ties to the agricultural sector, which is crucial in Brandon-Souris. “Larry is going to leave very, very big shoes to fill,” she said, emphasizing his reputation for being highly visible and engaged in the community.

While Brandon-Souris will likely remain Conservative, she added, the circumstances surrounding Maguire’s departure add an element of unpredictability. “Usually, Brandon-Souris wouldn’t be on my radar in terms of being competitive, but this is going to be an interesting race to watch.”

While acknowledging the difficulty of replacing a longtime incumbent, Sisson expressed confidence in the party’s ability to retain the seat.

“I think overall, Brandon-Souris is a strong Conservative seat,” he said. “I think Larry has a lot of personal support. Obviously, he’s been in the role for 11 years now and has always done very well during elections. The voters have trusted him time and time again.”

Given Maguire’s strong agricultural background, there has been speculation about whether the party will look for a candidate with similar experience to maintain its support in the region, which is heavily reliant on the agriculture sector.

“Westman is very ag-driven, and Larry comes from a very strong agricultural background — 30-plus years of farming, Canadian Wheat Board, the list goes on,” Sisson said. However, he noted that the priority would be selecting a candidate aligned with Conservative values.

Regarding the timeline for choosing a replacement candidate, Sisson could not provide a definite answer, stating that internal processes were underway and further announcements would be made soon.

Maguire, who has served as the MP for Brandon-Souris since 2013 described his time in public office as one of the most fulfilling aspects of his life.

“The responsibility of representing the people of Brandon-Souris as the Member of Parliament for the past 11 years, as well as the 14 years prior to that as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Arthur-Virden, apart from my partner, family, and my 33-year farming career, has been the most fulfilling highlight of my life,” Maguire stated.

Reflecting on his tenure, Maguire highlighted several key achievements, including securing federal funding for the refurbishment of Brandon Airport, the construction of the 18th Street Daly Overpass expansion, and improvements to flood protection infrastructure. He also pointed to the success of his Private Member’s Bill, C-208, which provided tax relief for farmers and small business owners passing their operations to the next generation.

Sisson appreciated Maguire on behalf of the local Conservative association.

“Larry’s done phenomenal things for Manitoba, for Westman, for Brandon specifically,” he said. “Whoever steps into that role is going to have some pretty big shoes to fill. But as a team, we’re here to support them, and I know Larry will also be very supportive of that person.”

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