Amid criticism over a prolonged absence from Ottawa, Liberal cabinet minister John Efford announced Tuesday that he will not run in the next federal election.

Efford, who is Newfoundland's lone voice in the federal cabinet, said he will continue to serve as MP until the election.

"I've always stood for what I believe in," Efford told the crowd of about 150 friends, family members and supporters gathered in Bay Roberts, N.L. on Tuesday.

"I've always said it like it is."

Efford, 61, who gave up his natural resources portfolio to bring his diabetes under control, retains a cabinet seat as political minister for Canada's easternmost province.

He made his first appearance in Parliament in about six months earlier this month.

Efford has come under fire for his prolonged absence from Newfoundland while continuing to earn the cabinet minister's full salary of $213,000.

The chorus of critics grew louder after Efford went on a Florida holiday even though he hadn't yet gone to Ottawa.

But Efford, a diabetic says his life as an MP has taken a toll on his health.

"I'm not the first person to (have) gotten sick and I'm not the first politician to take a vacation," Efford told NTV News from Ottawa earlier this month.

"My reason for staying home during the summer months was to get regulated on the insulin pump, which I do have now," he said.

Efford works out of his home office in Bay Roberts, about one hour west of St. John's.

He represents the Avalon riding, which he first won in a 2002 byelection.

Liberal insiders say the candidate that they had hoped would replace Efford - former provincial finance minister Paul Dicks -- is leaning against running, The Globe and Mail reported earlier.

Efford was not the first federal cabinet minister to announce he won't run for re-election.

Last week, Claudette Bradshaw, minister of state for human resources development, announced her retirement.