Longtime Nova Scotia MP Scott Brison says he won’t run for re-election this year and is stepping down from cabinet.
Brison, who sits at the cabinet table as president of the Treasury Board of Canada, made the announcement online Thursday morning.
His departure leaves an opening in cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office says changes will be announced on Monday.
Brison spent 22 years in politics, and made history as the first openly gay federal cabinet minister.
The father of twins said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his partner and children.
« They say that life begins at 50. Well, I’m 51, and I’m ready for new challenges and excited about pursuing new opportunities, » he wrote in an open letter to his constituents.
« It has been the highest honour of my life to serve you as member of Parliament. »
Brison first won the Kings-Hants seat in 1997 as a Progressive Conservative before crossing the floor in 2003, and has held cabinet portfolios in the Liberal governments of Paul Martin and Justin Trudeau. (He did briefly step aside as an MP so Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark could return to the House of Commons as part of his political comeback.)
« You’ve stuck with me through thick and thin, the good times and the tough ones. What a trip we’ve had together, » he wrote in his letter.
« Two political parties. Seven elections. You stood with me in December 2002, when I came out … and in December 2003, when I came out again — this time as a Liberal. »
Brison fought for same-sex marriage during his Progressive Conservative leadership bid — including a public spar with fellow party member Elsie Wayne — and the 2004 election.
Brison, right, and his husband, Maxime St-Pierre, married in 2007 and have twin daughters Rose and Claire. (Twitter)
He and his partner, Maxime St. Pierre, married in 2007, making Brison the first MP to wed his same-sex partner.
« The House of Commons didn’t just shape my career — decisions made in that room shaped my life, including decisions that gave me the opportunity to marry the person I love and raise a family while being open and honest about who I am as a person, all while serving the people of Kings-Hants, » he wrote in his letter.
Role in Norman case questioned
In recent months, he’s had to dodge questions about his role in the Vice-Admiral Mark Norman affair.
Norman is accused of leaking cabinet secrets to executives at the Davie shipyard, in Levis, Que., in the run-up to the signing of a $668-million lease contract for a temporary navy supply ship.
Brison has been hammered in the House of Commons over what contacts he may have had with Irving Shipbuilding of Halifax prior to a key cabinet committee meeting at the heart of the criminal case against the former commander of the navy.
He’s maintained his only engagement with Irving Shipbuilding during the period in question was being copied on a letter the company sent to four cabinet ministers extolling the virtues of their proposal.
Brison also told the House of Commons that his objection to the project related only to his job as Treasury Board president.
Brison, along with Environment Minister Catherine McKenna and former Conservative defence minister Peter MacKay, are all on the Crown’s witness list and could be called to testify.
The trial will not get underway until August, just before the next federal election campaign kicks off.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, he denied that his decision to quit politics is in any way related to the controversy.
« If that issue had never occurred, I would be making the same decision that I’m making now, » he said.
Brison told The Canadian Press he’s announcing his decision now to give his riding enough time to organize a nomination race.
« My personal view is that the prime minister and the government are best served by ministers who will be running in the next election, » he said.