Jason Kenney asks a question in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Sept. 21, 2016.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Conservative MP Jason Kenney has made his last speech in the House of Commons as he prepares to quit federal politics to focus on a bid to unite the provincial right in Alberta.
Kenney's resignation formally takes effect on Friday.
The longtime Calgary MP says his nearly two decades in the Commons gave him great respect for Parliament and its work.
Kenney, 48, thanked his colleagues, staff and the public service for supporting him in both opposition and government.
Kenney is running for the leadership of the Alberta Conservative party in hopes of resurrecting the fortunes of the one-time political dynasty.
His former cabinet colleague Jim Prentice tried something similar, winning the provincial leadership and becoming premier in 2014, only to go down to defeat to a surging NDP the following year.