Baird’s exit was planned for weeks, friends say
‘He’s going out on a high … which is the best way to make a decision’
Many were perplexed by the seemingly abrupt resignation of Ottawa MP John Baird from cabinet Tuesday. But friends said Baird had been contemplating stepping down for some time.
“This is someone who has given 20 years of his life to politics and public life and he’s done very well. … For some time he’s been thinking about what he’d like to do, what’s next, what to do after this,” Chris Froggatt, Baird’s former chief of staff and longtime friend, said.
“He did not have a career before politics, like others have. He’s going out on a high … which is the best way to make a decision.”
The announcement had been planned for two weeks and was supposed to happen on Thursday after a respectful headsup to the prime minister and the Conservative caucus. But a leak Monday night changed the plan, and even Prime Minister Stephen Harper learned of it through the media.
Looking relaxed and grinning, Baird told the House of Commons Tuesday he was optimistic about the country’s future, and about his own — though he provided no clues about his personal plans after two decades in politics.
Fellow MPs from all parties applauded him, shook his hand and in many cases hugged him.
“I will miss this place very much and all the people in it,” the 45-year-old Baird told the House of Commons. “The time has come to start a new chapter in my life.”
Describing Harper as a “friend and mentor,” Baird said: “He is one of our great leaders.”
“I quickly learned: to make a difference you can’t be defined by partisan(ship), nor by ideology. You need to be defined by values.”
In a statement, Harper said he accepted Baird’s resignation “with great regret and affection.”
Baird will be able to collect his full parliamentary pension at age 55.
International Trade Minister Ed Fast was to take over as acting foreign minister.
Baird’s unexpected departure came as he was actively engaged in trying to persuade Egypt to release Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy from an Egyptian prison. This week he described Fahmy’s potential release as “imminent.”
Industry Minister James Moore was reflective about Baird’s departure.
“It happens from time to time when people leave public life, everybody stops and realizes that this is a room of 308 people who all have their own life story, their own life journey and their own decisions to make about what’s in the best interest of themselves and their families.
“John has given 20 years of his life to public service and he’s done so in a principled, dignified and effective way.”