Russell Copeman retires from Quebec politics
Russell Copeman, who has served as the Liberal member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce since 1994, announced Wednesday afternoon he is leaving politics.
Copeman served as legislative secretary to the health minister, but was never named to cabinet.
Copeman said he decided to leave politics because he no longer has the drive for it. But he called his tour of duty at the national assembly an "immense privilege and honour".
He also thanked his wife Beverly for enduring many years of extended absences from home.
Copeman was outspoken about social justice issues, and as one of few anglophones in Quebec's legislature, he promoted minority rights.
Opposition leader Mario Dumont congratulated Copeman on his public service record, and said he contributed to the well-being of all Quebecers, while advocating for the province's most disenfranchised people.
His departure is a big loss for the Quebec Liberals, said Finance Minister Monique Jérôme-Forget.
"To tell you the truth, everybody was tearful when he announced this morning in caucus that he was leaving," she said Wednesday. "It's a terrible loss for us. It's a personal loss for me. I can only wish him good luck."
Copeman has accepted an offer to become Concordia University's associate vice- president of government relations.