WATCH: MPs say goodbye to Parliament, reflect on their time in office

WATCH: Parting words from MPs who aren’t seeking re-election about their accomplishments, lessons learned, and the best and worst moments in their political life.

When the doors of the House of Commons closed for the summer this month, at least 50 MPs knew they were taking their final steps along the familiar green carpet.

Those men and women, more than half coming from the governing Conservatives, had announced their intentions to retire from politics, either to focus on family life, look at other career options or to just put their feet up and relax.

Before packing up their offices, some took the time to walk the halls of Parliament, take in the sounds of the Hill and reflect on their time in public office.

I have loved being a member of Parliament. It is the most amazing experience.

– Retiring NDP MP Libby Davies

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: I have loved being a member of Parliament. It is the most amazing experience.</p><p>- Retiring NDP MP Libby Davies

Conservative Shelly Glover, who’s leaving her post as heritage minister, said she has one regret flowing from her seven years in federal politics.

“I have never had the opportunity to introduce a private member’s bill. I came directly from being elected to being a parliamentary secretary, and of course parliamentary secretaries and ministers are not allowed to introduce private members bills,” she said. “So I missed a whole piece that I’m really not able to redo now that I’m leaving.”

The first day you are elected you are as green as grass. There is no course out there.

– Retiring Conservative MP Gerald Keddy

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: The first day you are elected you are as green as grass. There is no course out there.</p><p>- Retiring Conservative MP Gerald Keddy

For Liberal Irwin Cotler, his memories of Parliament Hill stretch beyond the his first day as an MP in 1999.

“I was first brought here by my father when I was 11 years old,” Cotler recalled. “He looked up to the House and said to me, ‘Son, this is vox populi. This is the voice of the people.’

“When I look back, I understand what my father meant at the time. I have the sense of respect the reverence for Parliament.”