Ted Menzies, former cabinet minister, stepping down

Alberta MP Ted Menzies says he's stepping down from his Macleod seat and "moving on."

Known as an MP who gets along with colleagues across party lines, Menzies tweeted Wednesday morning that he was stepping down.

"Today I am resigning as MP for Macleod," he said on Twitter, thanking his wife Sandy, his family and his staff.

Menzies tagged the tweet "moving on."

Menzies was first elected in 2004 and served as parliamentary secretary to the ministers of international co-operation and finance. He joined cabinet as minister of state for finance in 2011, and served in that role for just over two years. Menzies announced last spring that he wouldn't be running in the next federal election, set for 2015, and left cabinet in the shuffle over the summer.

Menzies a 'gentleman'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanked Menzies for his "devoted service" in a written statement.

“Ted has been a strong voice and advocate for Alberta, and a valued member within our caucus," Harper said. 

“In all of these functions, he has earned the highest respect not just of me, but of all his colleagues in Parliament. Ted’s expertise, insight and exemplary work ethic will certainly be missed."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair praised Menzies for his work. 

"Ted Menzies is a gentleman of the type that one rarely encounters in politics. I had the great pleasure of sitting with him for several years in the finance committee.... He's a dedicated member of Parliament, he's a model in many regards and he's a reminder that there was once such a thing as a progressive Conservative," Mulcair said, emphasizing the word progressive.

Conservatives and opposition party officials tweeted their regards to Menzies on his retirement from federal politics.

Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner said on Twitter that Menzies "is one of the finest gentlemen I've known in the [House of Commons]. Best wishes my friend."