Former MP Svend Robinson to take job in France

VANCOUVER - Former Burnaby Member of Parliament and confessed ring thief Svend Robinson is leaving Canada for France.

In an e-mail passed on to The Canadian Press, Robinson says he is both sad and excited to take on a new job with Public Services International, based in France.

PSI is a trade union federation that represents public sector unions in over 140 countries.

Robinson tells his friends and co-workers in the e-mail that both he and his partner Max are looking forward to the big move.

He tells his B.C. Government Employees Union co-workers that he's been proud to work with them and noted they welcomed him like family in tough circumstances.

In April 2004, Robinson stepped away from his job in tears after admitting he stole a ring and a judge later handed him a conditional discharge, probation and community service.