Jay Hill, the popular longtime MP from Prince George-Peace River, Alta., and one-time British Columbia farm leader, will resign his seat Oct. 25.The unexpected Oct. 4 announcement brought some emotional tributes from MPs from all parties.Transport minister Chuck Strahl, his voice catching and eyes swelling with tears, said Hill had been his best friend through their 17 years together in Parliament.Before election in 1993, he recalled Hill told him they would both go to Ottawa “and we will look after each other’s backs.”He added that Hill should know “wherever he goes and whatever he does in the next stage of life, I will have his back.”Liberal House leader Ralph Goodale praised Hill for his “constructive and respectful” time as Government House leader. He even read him a poem about how House leaders get few of the responsibilities or credit for running the political train.”But let the damn thing jump the track and see who catches hell.”Hill, founding president of the British Columbia Grain Growers’ Association, won his Peace River riding with large majorities six times.He said he was quitting to move to Calgary, probably to work in the energy sector.He was elected as a Reform MP, served as a Canadian Alliance MP, left under the troubled leadership of Stockwell Day to sit in the Democratic Reform Caucus, rejoined the Alliance when Day was deposed and then became a Conservative under Stephen Harper.In his Commons speech, Hill praised Reform Party leader Preston Manning and prime minister Harper as leaders he admired. He did not mention Day, sitting a few seats away in the House of Commons.
B.C. MP Hill unexpectedly resigns
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