Rob Anders considering his own conservative think-tank

Calgary MP Rob Anders is considering creating his own conservative think-tank when his tenure in Parliament ends next year.

• Contest for Rob Anders' job triggers Tory infighting
• Rob Anders still no fan of Nelson Mandela
• MP Rob Anders blames crash for dozing in House
• Rob Anders accused of sleeping through veterans meeting

The controversial politician lost the Tory nomination in his riding of Calgary Signal Hillin April. His subsequent attempt to secure the bid for the Bow River riding also proved unsuccessful.

While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Anders said he hasnt completely ruled out running in the next election but indicated that he may be aiming towards a new career.

My heart is drawn towards a conservative institute that would do training, that would do issues advocacy, that would do rating of politicians in terms ofhow conservative they are and maybe meeting of various conservative organizations on a weekly basis to co-ordinate things, said Anders.

Calgary is also home toanotherconservative think-tank. The Manning Centre for Building Democracy wasfounded in 2005 by Reform Party founder Preston Manning.

Strong conservative views

Anders is known for his strong social conservative views and hasgained attention for his sometimes inflammatory statements,including his opposition to granting honorary citizenship to NelsonMandela. Instead, Andersbrandedthe South African leader a communist and aterrorist.

Andersblamed a past car accident forfalling asleep inside the House of Commonsand apologized to veteransafter they criticized him for falling asleep during a veterans affairs committeemeeting.

• Petition started to remove MP Rob Anders from office
• MP Rob Anders criticized over 'bathroom bill' comments
• Rob Anders sorry for saying Mulcair hastened Layton's death

Anders has served as a member of parliament since 1997. He was re-elected in Calgary West in 2000, 2004,2006, 2008 and 2011.

Based on his current pay, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation estimates Anders will start receiving a pension of $95,546 beginning at age 55.