Former prime minister Paul Martin is leaving politics.
Martin, 67, said Monday that he will not run in the next federal election because he wants to dedicate himself to humanitarian projects, including work with aboriginal Canadians and Africans.
Former prime minister Paul Martin pauses as he is applauded during a tribute to the former leader at the Liberal leadership convention Nov. 30, 2006 in Montreal. Martin announced Monday that he is leaving politics.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
"Life's actually pretty busy," Martin said after a speech to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vancouver. "I've got a couple of major projects."
Martin, who is currently a Liberal MP for the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard, advises the African Development Bank and spends a great deal of time in Africa.
He's also involved in a pilot program in Thunder Bay, Ont., which is aimed at encouraging aboriginal students to finish high school.
Martin, a lawyer and businessman, was first elected as an MP in Montreal in 1988 and was named finance minister in 1993.
In November 2003, he won the Liberal leadership race. He was sworn in as Canada's 21st prime minister a month later, taking over from fellow Liberal Jean Chrétien.
When Martin's Liberal government fell to the Conservatives in January 2006, he stepped down as Liberal leader but promised to finish his term as MP for LaSalle-Émard.
A date for the next federal election has not yet been set.
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- More than 90 killed in central Syria, activists say
- Activists have raised the number of those reportedly killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria to more than 90. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Wildfires, high winds put northeastern Ontario on alert
- It's going to be a tense weekend in northeastern Ontario where strong, shifting winds have been fuelling a forest fire that has blanketed the Timmins area with smoke and ash. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
- The RCMP is closing forensic laboratories in Halifax, Winnipeg and Regina and consolidating them with three others in a move the force says will lead to faster, more efficient service. more »
The National
The Current
- What does it take to get fired at the RCMP? May. 25, 2012 5:02 PM After a senior Mountie was demoted for disgraceful conduct including sex with subordinates, exposing himself and drinking on the job, some former employees wonder what you have to do to get fired.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Police probe Halifax homicide after shooting
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
