New Democrat MP Charlie Angus stepped down as the caucus chair and indigenous affairs critic of the NDP as he ponders on a potential leadership bid.
Angus, now 54 years old, is considering a leadership run to replace Tom Mulcair at the helm of the NDP.
"I can't be in that role if people are talking to me about running for leader," Angus said. He also shared that although there are many things to consider, he is very passionate about the renewal of the party.
"I think we have a lot to offer Canadians," he added.
Angus also mentioned that the duration of the race, which does not come to a vote until October 2017, will be a factor in his decision-making process.
"It is going to be a very difficult undertaking for anybody. To be 11 months on the road is going to cost a lot of cash and use up a lot of emotional, physical resources of volunteers, so we are going to consider it."
Angus is known as an active and outspoken advocate for indigenous communities. His extensive works include Attawapiskat First Nation - a reserve in his riding that garnered international headlines last spring for a series of youth suicides.
And after giving up his post as caucus chair, Angus is replaced by Quebec MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau. Romeo Saganash, who was first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2015, takes over the vacated position on indigenous affairs.
The party's leadership race remains wide open.
Meanwhile, British Columbia MP Peter Julian recently stepped down as the party's House Leader. He is contemplating on a leadership run as well, although he has not officially entered the race.
"My job has been to take care of as many things as I can, administratively and internally in terms of our policies, to get things ready for when I hand off in the fall," said Mulcair after the weekly caucus meeting.
He concluded with a positive note of wishing the best for Angus and any other person thinking of running in the leadership race.
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