Charlie Angus’ bid for the NDP Leadership may have come to an abrupt end Sunday, but his team released a statement of thanks to their supporters.

Charlie Angus says he can hold his head up proud that he inspired discussion throughout his run for leader of Canada’s New Democrats. Angus finished second in balloting.

Angus thanks all his supporters and volunteers for standing with him over the last year. “We gave it all we had. We had intelligent and progressive ideas. But most importantly we found that Canadians wanted to be engaged and that’s good news for the party.”

Angus says talking to people across the country the message was clear. “People are frustrated with the direction the country has been trending. Canadians are working longer and making less…students can’t find full time work….and pensions are being eliminated. Canadians are hurting.”

Angus says, now that the race is over, he will continue to work hard for the people of Timmins-James Bay.

“I made a promise in 2004 to fight for issues that matter. We wanted to put the riding on the political map and we have done that. I won’t stop speaking up and won’t accept the status quo.”

Angus received 19.4 per cent of the vote.

Jagmeet Singh, a former Ontario MPP, took home 53.8 per cent of the vote to be named new Leader. Officials say 52.8 per cent of eligible voters—65,782 of just over 124,000—went out to vote.

Speaking with Rogers Media Monday afternoon, Angus says they were “pretty sure” they would go to a second ballot but “we got swamped and that’s the way it goes.”

Angus says he learned a lot about “how political sausages are made” and with a laugh, added the old saying of “if you don’t like the way those sausages are made, don’t go in the kitchen.”

He mentions he got to see the greatness of ordinary Canadians in action, adding he likes ordinary people over politics. Angus also offered his well-wishes for the new NDP Leader.

“Jagmeet brought a lot of energy to the race, you could feel it from the get go,” he said, “I’m wishing him well and I’m looking forward to getting into the house and seeing what we can do with this energy that he’s brought.”

Now, he’s got a renewed focus on fighting for the people in his riding but is hopeful Singh will join them. But with Singh without a seat in Ottawa, it’s expected he’ll name an interim leader.

When asked about Singh’s plans around that, Angus says he hasn’t heard yet.

“I certainly hope he does get in the house, so if we need him, he can be captain of the team, we should be on the ice together,” he said, “I haven’t heard what his plans are, but I’m sure that we will know soon enough.”

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