Carol Hughes

Carol R. Hughes (born November 26, 1958) is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing in the House of Commons of Canada from 2008 until 2025. She is a member of the New Democratic Party.

Prior to being elected, she worked as a staff representative for the Canadian Labour Congress. She ran as the NDP's candidate in the 2004 election and the 2006 election, losing to Liberal incumbent Brent St. Denis both times.

She had told the press that she would not run in the 2008 election, but changed her mind after she stopped in Blind River for dinner on her way home from a Canadian Labour Congress meeting, and a couple she had never met approached her and encouraged her to run again. She won the riding in that election, defeating St. Denis, and was re-elected in the 2011 election.

Hughes endorsed Niki Ashton in the 2012 NDP leadership election, and Charlie Angus in the 2017 leadership election.

Hughes was appointed Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole for a second time; she previously held this role in the 42nd Parliament.

On April 4, 2024 she announced she would not run again for office in the 45th Canadian federal election.

Hughes endorsed Alberta MP Heather McPherson in the 2026 New Democratic Party leadership election.

Electoral record