John Baird, former foreign affairs minister, resigning as MP March 16

Former foreign affairs minister John Baird has announced that he willbe resigning as a member of Parliament on March16.

"After 20 great years representing my community I will be stepping down as MP on March 16. It has been an honour to serve," Baird tweeted on Wednesday.

• EXCLUSIVE:John Baird tells Peter Mansbridge he didn't want to be political lifer
• Analysis: What Baird's departure means for Harper
• John Baird in photos
• 'Rusty' nails it: The quotable John Baird, 2006-2015
• John Baird resigns: 'You need to be defined by your values'

Baird, who representsthe riding of Ottawa West-Nepean,resigned from cabinet last month, tellingthe House of Commonshe would also be stepping down as an MP.

In an interview last month with CBC's chief correspondent PeterMansbridge, Baird saidhe didn't want to become one of the "lifers" in federal politics, which is why he made thedecision to leave politics to pursue career opportunities in the private sector.

So far, Baird has not indicated whether he has a new job lined up.

Baird, 45, has been in politics most of his adult life. He was first elected as an MP in 2006 after a decade in provincial politics in Ontario, where he served in the cabinet of Mike Harris.