3 federal cabinet ministers are bowing out of politics
If the Conservatives win the upcoming federal election, they'll have to find a new Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
Monte Solberg, who took over the human resources portfolio from Diane Finley in 2007 after a stint as the Minister of Immigration, has announced he won't run again.
Solberg was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 as a Reform Party MP and represents the riding of Medicine Hat, Alta.
Two other cabinet ministers — Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson and Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn — have also announced they are leaving the federal arena.
Emerson, a former Liberal cabinet minister, crossed the floor shortly after the 2006 election and became the Minister of International Trade. He took over the foreign affairs portfolio earlier this year after Maxime Bernier resigned amid a scandal around a security breach involving his ex-girlfriend and classified papers.
Emerson represents the riding of Vancouver-Kingsway in British Columbia and Hearn holds the riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl in Newfoundland.
“All three of these Ministers have served Canadians with distinction and I am grateful for their years of dedication to both their constituents and Canadians from all across Canada,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a party statement.
“On a personal note, I have the utmost respect for all of these men and wish both them and their families all the best with whatever they choose to do outside of politics.”
Harper said the three men will still be involved in the upcoming election, which has been called for Oct. 14.
Monte Solberg, who took over the human resources portfolio from Diane Finley in 2007 after a stint as the Minister of Immigration, has announced he won't run again.
Solberg was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 as a Reform Party MP and represents the riding of Medicine Hat, Alta.
Two other cabinet ministers — Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson and Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn — have also announced they are leaving the federal arena.
Emerson, a former Liberal cabinet minister, crossed the floor shortly after the 2006 election and became the Minister of International Trade. He took over the foreign affairs portfolio earlier this year after Maxime Bernier resigned amid a scandal around a security breach involving his ex-girlfriend and classified papers.
Emerson represents the riding of Vancouver-Kingsway in British Columbia and Hearn holds the riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl in Newfoundland.
“All three of these Ministers have served Canadians with distinction and I am grateful for their years of dedication to both their constituents and Canadians from all across Canada,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a party statement.
“On a personal note, I have the utmost respect for all of these men and wish both them and their families all the best with whatever they choose to do outside of politics.”
Harper said the three men will still be involved in the upcoming election, which has been called for Oct. 14.
