Conservative MP Luc Berthold says he has prostate cancer but not stepping down

Conservative MP for Megantic-L'Erable Luc Berthold rises during Question Period, Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)

Conservative MP Luc Berthold announced on Sunday that he has prostate cancer, but still plans to run in the next federal election despite requiring an operation.

The longtime member of Parliament for Quebec's Megantic--L'Erable federal riding shared the news on social media, saying he received the diagnosis in 2024.

"My prostate is sick and it has cancer. In the next few weeks, I'll have to get rid of it to prevent the disease from spreading elsewhere in my bones and organs," he wrote on Facebook.

"Having lost both my mother and father to throat and lung cancer, I have to admit that the specialist's words stirred up old pains and bad memories in my head."

However, Berthold added there was reason for optimism because the cancer has so far not spread, which means he will be able to treat the disease and receive an operation in Quebec City in the coming weeks.

Berthold also said he has no intention of stepping down.

"Rest assured, I have no intention of resigning, and I will be a candidate in the next federal election for the new riding of Megantic-l'Erable-Lotbiniere," he said.

"I will, however, need to take a few weeks off to recover from the operation that will rid me of my sick prostate. This could happen at any time, the sooner the better, and perhaps even during the upcoming election campaign," the MP wrote.

Berthold was first elected under the federal Conservative banner in 2015 and won reelection in both 2019 and 2021. He previously served as mayor of Thetford-Mines, Que., from 2006 to 2013.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2025.