Former prime minister Stephen Harper will resign today as a member of parliament, The Canadian Press has learned.
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“For a total of almost 18 years, I have had the tremendous honour of representing Calgary in the Parliament of Canada”. On seven occasions, I’ve been deeply humbled by your trust and support.
Harper announced his resignation as Member of Parliament for his Calgary Heritage riding through a Facebook video Friday morning.
Watch the full statement here.
“Thank you @StephenHarper for everything you have done for our party, and for Canada”.
“Our country must continue to serve as a model of prosperity and freedom”.
“In 2003, Stephen Harper was at the forefront of the movement to unite conservative Canadians across this country under one banner”.
“Whether at home or overseas, we were always proud to stand up for Canada”.
He was first elected as a lawmaker in 1993, briefly then leaving politics before returning to seek and win the leadership of the Canadian Alliance party that – frustrated by multi candidate races that divided the vote and delivered commanding majorities to the Liberal Party – later merged with the Progressive Conservatives under the unified Conservative banner.
Harper, will launch a Calgary-based consulting firm, Harper and Associates, providing strategic advice with a focus on developing worldwide business, a person familiar with his plans told Bloomberg.
The new company will be based in Calgary and will be named Harper and Associates.
Harper’s decision to keep his seat followed the precedent set by his predecessor.
He became Canada’s 22nd prime minister following the Conservative party’s election victory in January 2006.
As a result, the former prime minister has kept an ultra-low profile in and out of the House of Commons over the last 10 months, showing up for most – but not all – votes and entertaining visitors in his office while plotting his next moves.
The last time he spoke to supporters was in May at the party’s convention.
“Now is the time to look forward”.
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Harper’s Conservatives, now helmed by interim leader Rona Ambrose, remain Canada’s official opposition party – with the second-highest number of elected lawmakers – and its biggest fundraiser.
