CTVNEWS

Tory MP Jay Hill will not seek re-election

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:12AM EDT

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Jay Hill speaks in regards to the agreement reached by the Government and the Liberals and the Bloc and not the NDP on the Afghan detainee documents in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday June 15, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

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OTTAWA - Jay Hill, a longtime Tory MP and the current government House leader, says he will not seek re-election.

The 57-year-old Hill told members of his riding executive in British Columbia this week that he's leaving while things are going well.

First elected as a Reform MP in 1993 for Prince George-Peace River after a losing run in 1988, he has served 17 years through six federal elections. He served as chief whip for both the Reform party and the Conservatives before becoming House leader.

"I've always felt that for politicians the time to go is when things are still going well ... when you've reached the crest of the hill, but before starting down the other side. For me that time is now," Hill said in a statement Wednesday.

"I must ensure that those to whom I owe my greatest loyalty and immense gratitude, and who have always been there to support me through seven federal elections and all the years in between, have sufficient time to select the next Conservative candidate for our great constituency."

This fall marks two years since the last federal election in 2008, and there has been speculation about another turn at the polls later this year or early next.

Hill's statement did not indicate his future plans.