Veteran MP Monte Solberg, a Conservative who came to Ottawa in 1993 with the first big wave of Reform MPs, is retiring from politics, the Tory party announced today.
He is one of three ministers it said will not be running in the federal election campaign widely expected to start Sunday.
The Conservatives also confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson, who defected to the Harper Conservatives from the Liberals two and half years ago, is quitting.
Finally, it said that Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn is also stepping down. Mr. Hearn represented the riding of St. John's West from 2000 to 2003, and has been MP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl since 2003.
News of Mr. Emerson's and Mr. Hearn's departure had already leaked out earlier this week.
Mr. Solberg, currently Human Resources Minister, was first appointed Immigration Minister after the Harper Conservatives took power in February 2006.
"All three of these Ministers have served Canadians with distinction and I am grateful for their years of dedication to both their constituents and Canadians from all across Canada," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a party statement.
"On a personal note, I have the utmost respect for all of these men and wish both them and their families all the best with whatever they choose to do outside of politics."
He said all three of the men would nevertheless have significant roles in the upcoming race.
Mr. Emerson will be a national co-chair of the Conservative election campaign, sources say.
Steven Chase