Prominent member of Canada's Conservative government to announce he's leaving politics
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another prominent member of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government will not see re-election in October.
Justice Minister Peter MacKay, a former foreign affairs minister and defense minister, will make the announcement later Friday. The prime minister's office said Harper will deliver remarks alongside him.
MacKay and Harper were instrumental in uniting the right in Canada in 2003. MacKay was leader of the Progressive Conservative party before it merged with the Alliance party to create the Conservative Party of Canada with Harper as leader.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The news comes after foreign minister John Baird unexpectedly announced he was leaving politics in February.
MacKay is also known for creating the Halifax International Security Forum, an annual forum in his home province whose participants include defense ministers and security officials from around the world.