Lucienne Robillard, who represents the Quebec riding of Westmount, announced today that she will resign her job late next month. Here’s the statement from her leader, Stephane Dion:
On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Deputy House Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, who today officially announced her resignation as the Member of Parliament for Westmount-Ville-Marie effective January 25, 2008.
Over the past 12 years, as an MP and as a Cabinet minister, Ms. Robillard has served her constituents with enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication. Her accomplishments reflect her commitment and devotion to Canada and her home province of Quebec, as well as her impressive expertise, integrity and commitment.
It has been a tremendous privilege for me to serve with Ms. Robillard in the Liberal caucus as well as in the Cabinets of former Liberal Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin.
First elected in 1995, Ms. Robillard was re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006. During her time in federal politics, Ms. Robillard has held a number of important government portfolios. She has served as Minister of Labour, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Industry and the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Developments. In February 2006, she was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and in January 2007, Deputy House Leader for the Official Opposition.
Ms. Robillard's accomplishments make her a formidable role model for young women who want to follow in her footsteps by dedicating themselves to public service, and I know she will continue to be an inspiration to future generations.
I wish Ms. Robillard and her family happiness as they pursue their future endeavours. I am sure that she will continue to serve both Canada and Quebec as enthusiastically in her private life as she has throughout her political career.