Christian Paradis, Shelly Glover, federal ministers, won't seek re-election

International Development Minister Christian Paradisand Heritage andOfficial LanguagesMinister Shelly Glover won't seek re-election, the senior federal Conservativemembers said today.

The two ministers,the latest big names in the Harper government's cabinet to announce their departures,released statementson Good Friday.

• Christian Paradis not running in 2015 federal elections
• Winnipeg Conservative MP Shelly Glover won't seek re-election
• John Baird resigns: 'You need to be defined by your values'

Two months ago, John Baird, then foreign affairs minister,announcedhis retirement from politics to work in the private sector.

Paradis, who is also theminister forla Francophonie,and Gloverhave faced controversieswithin their ministriesduring their terms. Both suggested their pending departuresare,in part,for personal reasons.

"This decision is personal, after much consideration with my family," Paradis, 41-year-oldmember forthe Quebec riding ofMgantic-L'rable, said in a statement.

"We have come to the conclusion that after almost a decade of my being on the public stage, it's time for me to pass on the torch and move on serenely to write a new chapter in our lives."

Paradis was elected in 2006, and went on to hold a number of cabinet positions, including minister of public works and government services, minister of natural resources and minister of industry.

In 2012, Paradis was found to have breached the government's own ethics rules by giving special access to former Conservative MP RahimJaffer'sbusiness interests. The report was made public, but Paradiswas given no fines or penalties.

Cleared of breaching conflict laws

A former police officer,Glover, 48, whorepresents the Winnipeg riding of St. Boniface, was first elected in 2008.Shesaid in a statementthat it was "time to return to my previous life."

"This past 18 months has been particularly difficult for me and my family as we have dealt with some very serious health issues while I was away from home. As their wife, mother and grandmother (with a second grandchild on the way), my family is very grateful that I am coming home."

Last year, the federal ethics watchdogcleared Glover of breaching conflict of interest laws by attending a fundraiser organized by her local riding association.

Both Paradis and Glover said they will continue to serve their constituents until the next election, expected in October.