Councillor Stevenson withdraws from federal politics bid in London Centre

Councillor Susan Stevenson has dropped her bid for the Conservative Party nomination in the federal riding of London Centre.

In a post on X on Friday evening, Stevenson wrote, “With a federal election seemingly around the corner, I want to share that I will not be proceeding in the nomination process for London Centre. Huge thanks to everyone for all of your support!! My focus will remain on our city and the changes that are urgently needed.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted that a federal election is incoming in talks with the media on Friday, when taking reporters' questions outside Rideau Hall, Carney said voters “certainly should expect to go to the polls before November,” when asked after the ceremony whether his plans over the next few weeks include recalling Parliament or triggering an election.

Representing Ward 4 at city hall since November 2022, Stevenson initially announced her intentions to run for federal government in mid-December.

At the time she told CTV News, “I could have a bigger impact and ensure accountability in a way that Londoners both need and deserve. Many people have grave concerns regarding the future, finances, freedom, and public safety. I am ready to serve in a bigger way.”

“I am in total agreement with the many changes that the conservative federal party is promoting,” Stevenson added.

Stevenson graduated from Western University with a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics. She worked as a professional accountant from 1995 to 2020.

Since being elected to city council, the Integrity Commissioner has on two separate occasions ruled that her social media posts about homelessness violated the Council Code of Conduct.

The current federal riding of London-North-Centre has been represented by Liberal M.P. Peter Fragiskatos since 2015.

- with files from CTV News London’s Daryl Newcombe, CTV’s Rachel Aiello