Winnipeg Liberal cabinet minister Dan Vandal cites age, years of service as rationale not to seek re-election [Video]

Dan Vandal says his decision not to seek a fourth term as MP for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital is due to a desire to move on from politics after 26 years of public service rather than the dim electoral prospects for the unpopular federal Liberal Party.

Vandal, 64, announced his decision not to seek re-election on Thursday, joining five other Liberal cabinet ministers — and 18 other members of the Liberal caucus — who do not intend to seek re-election.

While this sort of exodus is common when long-in-the-tooth governments poll poorly heading into an election cycle, Vandal said his decision to leave politics has more to do with his age and years of service as an MP and Winnipeg city councillor.

“I’ve been elected eight times in the area and I’m also turning 65,” Vandal said Thursday in an interview outside his constituency office on St. Mary’s Road in Winnipeg.

“I think that’s really good point to …