John Baird is expected to announce his departure from two decades of political life. The announcement is stunning. Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis/The Associated Press Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will not seek re-election and will resign his position in the Harper cabinet this week, a source has told Postmedia News.
Baird, 45, was first elected to Parliament in 2006, representing the nation’s capital riding of Ottawa West-Nepean, and re-elected in 2008 and 2011.
He is expected to resign as soon as Tuesday.
Baird is not leaving for any particular job, but has decided the time is right for him to move to the private sector, a friend said Monday.
“He’s at the perfect age and in the perfect place to make a move,” said his friend, speaking on condition that he not be named.
Baird has served in a variety of high-profile roles in Stephen Harper’s Conservative government. Prior to that, he spent a decade in Ontario provincial politics.
CBC broke the news that Baird would leave politics Monday night after Baird informed staffers of his decision.
“He took a look at the calendar and … if he left now, I think people just do their walk in the snow. I think what’s precipitated it is he’s been doing it for 20 years.
This is a personal decision and has nothing to do with Baird’s assessment of the electoral prospects of Harper’s government, his friend said.
Baird is likely to look at private-sector opportunities, perhaps in Toronto.
“He has spent his entire life as an elected official or a political staffer and at this point in his life, in his mid- to late-40s, now is the time for him to build another career,” his friend said.
“He’s had 10 portfolios, which is a lot by Canadian standards, so I think he just felt like personally for him it was time to go.”
The Canadian Press reported Monday night that International Trade Minister Ed Fast is set to perform as acting foreign affairs minister.
Baird’s unexpected departure came as he was actively engaged in trying to convince Egypt to release Mohamed Fahmy from an Egyptian prison. Baird told CBC on Monday that Fahmy’s release was imminent.
Baird’s departure appeared to leak sooner than anticipated on Monday night. There was no immediate comment from the prime minister’s office.
The departure of Baird, a high-profile and effective minister widely considered to be a good communicator, is likely to be seen as a blow to the government.
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