Shocking voters and politicians alike, federal Industry Minister Brian Tobin said Monday he was tired and leaving politics, even as some friends say they aren't sure he's gone for good.

At an afternoon news conference in St. John's, Tobin said he was leaving for "a new life with more time for family, for friends, for personal renewal."

"I've been involved in the political field since 1978. That's just about as long as Joey (Smallwood) served. So maybe it's time to move on and make a contribution in another field."

Brian Tobin

TIMELINE: Brian Tobin

Tobin, 47, long-considered one of the favourites to replace Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, said his resignation as industry minister took effect at noon on Monday. He will resign as member of parliament for the riding of Bonavista-Trinity-Conception in the next few days.

Just an hour after Tobin made his announcement, the Prime Minister's Office issued a news release saying a new cabinet will be unveiled, in Ottawa, on Tuesday morning.

Tobin said after more than 20 years in federal and provincial politics it is time to devote more time to family. Tobin, with wife Jodean sitting beside him, said the decision "is not strategic, not political. It's personal."

Tobin was first elected to the House of Commons 22 years ago. He made his mark as a member of the so-called 'Rat Pack' during the Mulroney years when the Liberals were the Opposition.

But he will probably be most remembered for his years as minister of fisheries during the turbot war with Spain.

Tobin left Ottawa in 1996 to become premier of Newfoundland. Five years later he resigned that post, to return to the federal Liberal ranks.

The next day Tobin was back in Ottawa being sworn into the Chrétien cabinet at Rideau Hall, pledging at the time to make a commitment to public life.

Many political insiders believed that Tobin had come back to Ottawa to position himself to run for the future Liberal leadership. He served as the minister of Industry for just over a year, pushing an innovation agenda, especially high speed broadband Internet access to all of Canada.

Tobin was considered the big loser in the December budget when his pet project was barely mentioned.

Friend says Tobin's not done yet

While the announcement shocked voters and politicians, some people close to Tobin aren't so sure he's through with a life of politics.

Chuck Furey, Tobin's long-time friend and minister in his provincial cabinet, believes the lure of the top federal job may prove irresistible in the future.

"I don't think we've seen the last of Brian Tobin and I think we'll see prime minister before his name before it's all over. Who knows? Politics is a funny business. A day in politics, an hour in politics, and even a minute in politics sometimes can be fascinating," said Furey.

But Tobin insists this is the end. He says not even another Quebec referendum on separation could lure him back into public life.

He does admit he still wants to serve the country, as a private citizen this time, though. "I very much hope to, someway, as a private citizen, to continue to contribute to the well-being of this province and this country."