Baird’s decision to resign made in the past 10 days
Source close to the minister says death of Jim Flaherty spurred choice to step down
OTTAWA— John Baird, a 20-year veteran of Canada’s political wars, had been quietly agonizing over a change of career for months before revealing his surprise decision to quit politics.
Baird, 45, has been one of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s most trusted cabinet lieutenants and his resignation as foreign affairs minister and Member of Parliament shocked Conservatives.
Baird offered only a general explanation for the unexpected resignation, news of which reportedly caught even Harper off guard on Monday night. “The time has come to start a new chapter in my life,” Baird said in an emotional speech to fellow MPs. Tearing up, he added, “I will miss this place very much.”
The sudden decision sparked wide speculation about Baird’s motivation and next steps. He is expected to take a job in the private sector that will allow him to capitalize on his extensive contacts and experience as a senior minister in Ottawa and, previously, in the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves at Queen’s Park. Baird has contacted federal ethics watchdog Mary Dawson to discuss his upcoming job, said a source close to Baird.
The source said the longtime politician’s thinking about his future intensified after former finance minister Jim Flaherty’s unexpected death last spring.
Flaherty’s passing was “difficult” for Baird and caused him to take a hard look at his life and career. The two men were “the two closest members of cabinet” and Baird was moved to “rethink his career and his future” after Flaherty passed away, the source said.
Accordingly, Baird had for the past few months been discussing his next move with close family and confidantes, with the final decision to step down made in the past 10 days or so.
“The time has come to start a new chapter in my life. I will miss this place very much.”
Baird, the MP for Ottawa West-Nepean, joins some two dozen other Conservative MPs who have decided not to run in the next election — a trend that has deepened speculation that Conservative insiders are convinced that winning a fourth-consecutive government mandate could be an uphill fight.
After Baird delivered a short goodbye speech in the Commons, Harper gave his foreign affairs minister a hug, but passed up a chance to speak to MPs about him or his resignation.
“It is with great regret and affection that I today accepted the resignation of one of the finest ministers that I have had the privilege of working with, John Baird,” Harper said in a statement released a few minutes later.
“John has always been willing to do a lot of heavy lifting in my various cabinets and has assumed daunting new responsibilities with unsurpassed energy, commitment and professionalism, never losing sight of the fact that he was serving the Canadian people,” Harper said.
International Trade Minister Ed Fast will take over Baird’s portfolio on a temporary basis. But Harper is expected to move quickly to appoint a new foreign affairs minister at a time of continuing tensions over Ukraine, Middle East unrest and the rising terrorist presence of the Islamic State militant group.
“He (Baird) has been one of their stalwart performers for many years,” pollster Frank Graves, of EKOS Research, said. “It’s not trivial. This is a fairly significant loss. This is a seasoned pro.”
In the past six months, he said, the Conservatives have been able to erode the Liberals’ lead in public support as security and terror issues dominate the spotlight.
As one of Harper’s favourites, he outspoken and irrepressible Baird has held several key portfolios in Conservative governments since 2006, including transport, environment and foreign affairs.
There’s nothing to speculation of a falling-out between Harper and Baird, the source said: “He’s been a loyal soldier to the prime minister since 2005, long before it was popular to jump on his side.” And Baird counts Ray Novak and Jenni Byrne, Harper’s top assistants, as close friends.
Despite the decision to change careers, Baird always loved his job. “Up until today, he’s enjoyed being foreign minister. I personally don’t think there’s another job that he’s ever wanted,” the source said. With files from Bruce Campion-Smith
JOHN BAIRD ON HIS RESIGNATION AS FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER