NEW WATERFORD, N.S. — The MLA for Cape Breton Centre is giving up her seat due to ongoing health issues.
Tammy Martin, a member of the NDP party, sent out a press release on Monday saying that since last summer she has been dealing with some ongoing health issues that have not subsided. Martin said, "with a very heavy heart," that she’ll be resigning as MLA effective Feb. 6, 2020.
“After discussions with my family, I have made the very difficult decision to step down in order to prioritize my health,” she stated. “I ask that you respect my privacy during this difficult time.”
Martin wasn’t available for interviews.
In a phone interview on Monday, NDP leader Gary Burrill said he was aware Martin has been dealing with some health issues for quite some time and it was an intensively difficult decision she came to over the last couple weeks.
Burrill spoke of the deep respect and regard that he has for Martin, feelings also shared by her party and caucus. Expressing profound appreciation for all Martin has contributed to the province over the three years since she was elected, Burrill described her as a "real voice" in the legislature for the cause of fiscal equalization and fiscal fairness for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
As well, the NDP leader expressed profound appreciation for Martin’s unremitting voice and passion in the legislature for health care, particularity in Cape Breton.
“It’s very important to mention today the important contribution she has made as the legislature’s leader of the campaign advocating for community hospitals with emergency departments for North Sydney and New Waterford,” he said.
“This work that she has been the principal legislative voice for is extraordinarily important and continues to be extraordinarily important."
Although Martin declined interviews on Monday, she did send out a series of tweets, describing her three years of representing the people of Cape Breton Centre as "an honour and a privilege.”
“I have been proud to work with so many people, including doctors, health-care workers, municipal leaders and more in our fight to keep our hospitals open, attract doctors to our community, and tackle the health-care crisis across Cape Breton.”
Martin said working alongside NDP leader Burrill and the NDP caucus, has amplified the concerns of Cape Bretoners when it comes to health care and the economy, bringing forward real solutions that could help Cape Breton now.
Martin was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2017. Martin is a member of the veteran’s affairs, law amendments, human resources and health committees.
Before stepping into the political ring, she was employed by the former Cape Breton District Health Authority and the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
Martin’s constituency office will remain open for the next few months to resolve any open casework files.
Following the 2017 provincial election, the NDP caucus had seven MLAs in the legislature. When Martin leaves in February they will be down to four.
RELATED:
- Loss of physician lead another blow for Cape Breton health care: Martin
- OP-ED: Government needs to show more leadership
- Cape Breton MLA kicked out of legislature
- Minister won’t make commitments regarding CBRM viability study
- Cape Breton MLA questions why province is renovating hospital slated for closure
