Manley quitting politics

By ALLISON DUNFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
With a report from Brian Laghi

John Manley, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, said although he
has "loved every day" of his job in federal politics, it's time
for a change.

He announced Friday he will not run in the next federal election. Mr.
Manley is mulling over a number of new opportunities, including an
ambassadorship to Washington. Incoming prime minister Paul Martin offered
him the job earlier this week when Mr. Manley told him he was quitting.

Mr. Manley said he hasn't made any decisions, nor has the 53-year-old
completely ruled out a return to politics later in life. "Once you're
a politician, you're always a politician," he told reporters at a
press conference in Ottawa, with his wife Judith by his side. "Mario
Lemieux made a comeback. ... You never know."

But for now, Mr. Manley said he is looking for new opportunities.
"Fifteen years, it's been an exciting time. It's had its highs and its
challenging moments," he said Friday, his voice wavering several times
with emotion. "I've loved coming to work each day in this wonderful
building," he added. "There is indeed a time for every purpose
under the heaven," he said. "And I've other purposes to
fulfill."

Dec. 12  the day that Mr. Martin takes over as prime minister  will be Mr.
Manley's last as a cabinet minister. He has been an MP for Ottawa South
since November of 1988. Since being elected, he has served in the industry,
foreign affairs, finance and Deputy Prime Minister posts. "It has been
a real honour to contribute to the public life of Canada in this way and to
represent Canada," he said.

Mr. Manley said he made his decision to leave before he and Mr. Martin got
around to talking about possible cabinet posts. He has said he would have
liked foreign affairs, but there was some question as to whether Mr. Martin
would have overlooked their leadership rivalry and given it to him.

Mr. Manley dropped out of the leadership race when it became clear that Mr.
Martin would be the next Liberal leader. But there was no evidence of
rivalry between the two men Friday. Mr. Manley had only praise for the
incoming prime minister. "I believe that Paul Martin will be one of
the finest prime ministers Canada has ever had," he said.

Mr. Martin, who also held a press conference Friday, said Mr. Manley
"is somebody for whom I have the greatest degree of admiration."
Mr. Martin said he had a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister earlier
this week, where he offered him the ambassadorship in Washington. "He
said he wanted to reflect on that," Mr. Martin said. He said the
position was "the most important post I could offer him," and
believed Mr. Manley would do a good job working with the United States on
U.S.-Canada relations.

Mr. Martin brushed off suggestions that Mr. Manley left because he would
not be getting a top job in the new cabinet. "For strictly personal
reasons, Mr. Manley told me he wasn't going to run again," not because
he didn't want to be in government, Mr. Martin said. Mr. Manley concurred,
saying his decision was a "Manley one, not a Martin one," he
said. He spent the past few months with his wife considering his decision.
He said part of leaving politics had to do with spending more time with his
three children, adding that because of his career, he has missed out on a
lot.

Mr. Manley, a former mathematician and tax lawyer, rose relatively quickly
through Prime Minister Jean Chretien's cabinet to become Deputy Prime
Minister by being quietly competent. He found his role increased
substantially after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he was
given a pivotal role in U.S. Canada security relations. He also thanked Mr.
Chretien for the opportunities he was given during his speech.

Being named Time Magazine's newsmaker of the year in 2001 was one of Mr.
Manley's career highlights, along with work with the U.S. and Canadian
border team after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said. "It's been
a great run. So, now on to other challenges. So, I'll see you around."


--- GoldED/W32 3.0.1