MP Laurie Hawn announces he's leaving federal politics

Conservative Edmonton MP Laurie Hawn is leaving federal politics, saying he wants tospend more time with his family.

Hawn, 66,announced Monday he won't run in the next federal election.

"My wife, Judy, and I will have been working for a century between us, and she will have taken a back seat to my careers for 47 years," he said in a release Monday. "It is time that I put her and our family in the front seat."

• Blog: So long, Laurie Hawn

Hawnhas represented the Edmonton Centre riding since2006 after losing his first campaign in 2004 by a few hundred votes to then deputy prime minister Anne McLellan.

Heparlayedhis 30-year background as anair force pilot to serve in a number of roles in Ottawa, including involvements with the ministries of National Defence,Veterans Affairs, Public Safety and National Security.

Hawn also led the government side on the special parliamentary committee on the mission in Afghanistan and the ad hoc committee on Taliban detainees and as the Canadian co-chair of the Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defenceworked on issues relating to the defence and security of North America.

He cited hisinvolvement with the Canadian Armed Forces and many visits to Afghanistan, including spending five Christmases with the troops, ashighlights of his time in parliament.

Hawn will serve out the remainder of his term.