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Calgary Herald

'Publicly hired and publicly fired': Some former MPs struggle to deal with life after Parliament

Article content 'I was told that I was toxic,' he said during an emotional speech to the Procedure and House Affairs Committee. 'The Conservatives hated me. No organization would hire me. My marriage failed. My space with my children was not in a good place and most particularly my passion — the thing I believed so ardently in … the purpose of my life — was in ashes at my feet.' Article content Holland returned to the House of Commons in 2015, and later served as minister of health before deciding not to run in this most recent election. Article content But his is not the only tale of caution. And it's not just federal politicians who face post-election challenges. Article content Article content Lorenzo Berardinetti, a former Toronto city councillor and Ontario MPP with a 30-year career in politics, faced a series of challenges in the immediate years after losing in the 2018 provincial election: difficulty finding work, a divorce, a brain seizure and the rising cost of housing. Article content By 2023, he was living in a homeless shelter in Ajax, Ont., where he stayed for more than a year. 'I never thought this would have happened to me,' he was quoted as saying earlier this year, 'but it happened.' Article content Article content Thanks to a former political staffer at Toronto City Hall and Queen's Park who started an online fundraising campaign, Berardinetti found shelter. Article content Not all former MPs, of course, face the severe challenges faced by Holland or Berardinetti. LeBlanc said it's impossible to quantify the number struggling with serious problems but warns that it's a 'significant minority.' Article content Michael Browning, an Ottawa psychotherapist who has treated MPs in the past, said losing an election is similar to any other major professional setback, except it's often more severe emotionally because of the huge sacrifices involved. Another important factor, he added, is that unlike many other professional defeats, such as losing a bid for promotion, there's no existing job to fall back on. Article content 'There's no consolation prize,' said Browning, the director of The Whitestone Clinic. Article content Alain Therrien, the MP for the Quebec riding of La Prairie-Atateken for more than five years until last week, said it's a bit easier to deal with an election loss when you've been through it before. Article content Article content 'It's tough, that's for sure,' he said. 'But for me, it's my fourth time, so I'm starting to get used to it.' Article content Therrien, the Bloc Quebecois' House Leader in the most recent parliament, said elected officials must try to remember that the jobs are always temporary. Article content '(The voters) have the right to say 'we would like to have someone other than you.' We must accept it.' Article content Therrien said he isn't sure what he'll do next, but he hasn't ruled out a return to teaching. Another run for public office is also possible. Article content Wilfert, the former Toronto-area MP, has been busy since leaving Parliament but he understands the grief. Former MPs, he said, have to transition from somebody whose time and attention are in high demand to possibly struggling to find work. Many find themselves struggling emotionally after the shock of a loss, with alcohol problems often entering the picture.