OTTAWA—Kellie Leitch, a Harper-era cabinet minister who was accused of dog-whistle politics in her bid to lead the Conservative party, will not run in 2019.

Leitch, who championed so-called “Canadian values” screening for immigrants during her 2017 leadership bid, confirmed Wednesday she would not seek re-election.

The pediatric surgeon and longtime Conservative organizer was facing a serious challenge for the party’s nomination, despite representing Simcoe-Grey since 2011.

“As much as I have enjoyed public life, the time has now come for me to return to (pediatric surgery),” Leitch wrote in a statement.

“I will remain active in contributing to my community … and as a volunteer supporting the efforts of the Conservative party, its leader and its candidates.”

Leitch was first elected in 2011, and served various cabinet rolls under prime minister Stephen Harper.

Along with former Ontario MP Chris Alexander, Leitch championed the Conservatives’ “Barbaric Cultural Practices Hotline” in the 2015 election. Leitch eventually gave a tearful public apology for the policy, which critics labeled a “snitch line” with racist undertones.

But only months later, Leitch again courted controversy by focusing her leadership bid on so-called “Canadian values,” widely viewed as anti-immigrant and nativist. Leadership rival Maxime Bernier memorably dubbed her campaign “karaoke Donald Trump.”

Despite widespread media attention, Leitch went on to finish a distant sixth among 13 candidates.

After the contest, Leitch found herself marginalized within the Conservative caucus, one of the only leadership contenders to be left out of Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet.

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She also faced challenges for the right to represent the Conservative party in her riding. Gillian Yeates, a fellow physician, and Terry Dowdall, the mayor of Essa Township north of Toronto, were contesting the nomination.

Conservative insiders, though, doubt Leitch would have lost the nomination. Even those who bitterly opposed her leadership campaign praise Leitch’s work ethic and organizational ability.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Scheer thanked Leitch for her contributions to the party.

“We have all come to greatly respect Kellie’s experience, ability and passion for public service,” the statement read.

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“As she completes her term as a member of parliament and prepares for the next chapter of her life, we wish her well.”

Leitch said she intends to work with Health Volunteers Overseas, an organization that helps train health professionals, in Ghana.

With a file from the Canadian Press.

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