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Stellarton just became the hottest spot to be tonight in Canada.
According to reports, justice minister and longtime Conservative superhero Peter MacKay will announce his resignation from federal politics in less than an hour, at a 5pm press conference in Stellarton. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to attend.
Sources suggest to the National Post that MacKay’s departure is for family reasons. Wife Nazanin Afshin-Jam is expecting the birth of the couple’s second child.
Reactions amongst Canadian politicians, media and comedians have run the gamut from “thank you for your dedicated service” to “don’t let the door hit you.” @Midnight style POINTS to Huffington Post Canada for the headline of the year.
http://t.co/Ozp3cZCiet pic.twitter.com/0Hct6j6aqi
— HuffPost Canada (@HuffPostCanada) May 29, 2015
Peter MacKay stepping down to become new head of FIFA.
— Jeremy Woodcock (@jwPencilAndPad) May 29, 2015
So @MinPeterMacKay is stepping down. I guess there actually is no justice in this world. Thanks for your time on @22_Minutes – great sport
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) May 29, 2015
Peter MacKay leaving federal politics after helping ram Bill #C51 through is like someone leaving your party after clogging your toilet.
— Evan Munday (@idontlikemunday) May 29, 2015
Peter MacKay flees sinking ship*
*that is currently first place in the polls
— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) May 29, 2015
Peter MacKay has been a key component of the Conservative’s Humour Columnist Job (Action) Creation Plan, an expensive but effective program.
— Tabatha Southey (@TabathaSouthey) May 29, 2015
Now. Sit back & watch. Peter MacKay will cite leaving to spend more time with family. Then he will get a high pressure private job #cdnpoli
— PatRiotchick (@PatOndabak) May 29, 2015
For those keeping score, Peter MacKay’s pension is worth $3,776,298 at $117,297 a year & $78,866 severance #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/mWPYigorr3
— Stephen Lautens (@stephenlautens) May 29, 2015
With Peter MacKay leaving politics (which I can also confirm) he is depriving us of one of our most consistent sources of hilarious stories.
— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) May 29, 2015
But will he have the dog with him?! #petermackay pic.twitter.com/H7MgzZ39V7
— Shannon McKarney (@zchamu) May 29, 2015
#neverforget pic.twitter.com/0jqH9OrU87
— Drake Fenton (@drakefenton) May 29, 2015
Cartoon: Peter MacKay leaving politics. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/i3fsUsSCsz
— Patrick LaMontagne (@CartoonInk) May 29, 2015
MacKay becomes one of growing kennel of Conservative cabinet ministers leaving before this fall’s election—including John Baird, Shelly Glover and Christian Paradis.
A Member of Parliament for 18 years, MacKay has been a cabinet minister since Harper’s first government in 2006. He’s been the minister of justice since 2013, and was voted “sexiest male MP” by the Hill Times six years in a row.
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This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2015.