LeBreton joins list of prominent Conservatives stepping down

Conservative Sen. Marjory LeBreton is stepping down as government leader in the Senate.

In a press release issued Thursday, LeBreton thanked Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his “trust, his strong leadership and his friendship.”

She added that she would continue to be an active member of the Conservative caucus.

“I intend to step up my efforts in support of meaningful Senate reform and also actively back the new strengthened rules we introduced regarding Senate expenses,” she said.

The news comes after Harper asked his caucus to let him know about their re-election plans, as he considers a cabinet shuffle, expected to take place within the next few weeks.

Following her resignation, Harper issued a statement, thanking LeBreton for her years of service.

“From our first day in office through to today, Senator LeBreton has contributed her wise counsel, exceptional work ethic, and unrivalled institutional knowledge, and in so doing has made a tremendous contribution to our Government,” said Harper.

Harper said that he would meet with members of the Senate caucus throughout the summer before appointing a new government leader in the Senate.

Also on Thursday, Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy announced she would not be running for re-election in 2015.

The MP for Calgary-Nose Hill said her riding is in a period of significant transition that will see riding redistributed before the 2015 election.

“A major part of my current riding will become the new Calgary-Rocky Ridge. This has led many to ask whether I will seek another term in office, and if so, in which riding,” said Ablonczy.

Ablonczy said she had intended to wait until next year to announce her re-election intentions, but with other politicians saying they wouldn’t seek re-election in 2015, the questions directed to her became more “insistent.”

“That puts me, my family and my staff in an uncomfortable position. I therefore think that, especially since others beside myself are affected, this is the appropriate time to announce that after serving twenty-two years I will be leaving the political arena in 2015,” she said.

The announcements from LeBreton and Ablonczy follow similar news from Alberta MP Ted Menzies, who announced earlier this week that he would not run in the next election.

Menzies represents the riding of Macleod, which includes the flood-devastated town of High River, Alta.

“Witnessing the effects of the floods across southern Alberta, and the devastation of High River and other communities, I have decided that it is important for me to be here more often,” Menzies said in a statement.

He said he would not seek re-election in 2015, but would sit as an MP until then.

*With files from The Canadian Press