Rona Ambrose, Leader of the Official Opposition and interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, issued the following statement today on the Honourable Michael Chong’s decision to seek the Conservative Party of Canada leadership: “I, along with all Conservatives, welcome MP Chong’s announcement to seek the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. As a Member of Parliament, Michael works tirelessly for his constituents in Wellington – Halton Hills and I wish him all the best as he pursues this next chapter in his political career.”Effective immediately, Joël Godin will assume the responsibilities of Official Opposition Deputy Critic for Environment and Climate Change. Mr. Godin will retain his responsibilities as Official Opposition Critic for Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper will bow out of federal politics before Parliament resumes in the fall to pursue new business interests.

Harper has offers from multiple U.S. companies, including private equity giant KKR,reported a leading TV channel. .

The Conservative MP, who led the party to a loss in the Oct. 19, 2015 election, is planning to take on life as a public intellectual. Harper has done no interviews since the election and hasn’t even spoken in the House of Commons, leading to a greater demand to hear from the man who served as prime minister for nearly a decade.

Harper announced his resignation as party leader through a statement emailed to reporters on election night. He proceeded to give a speech to supporters in Calgary without mentioning he had just resigned.

The former leader is also expected to take two long-time loyalists with him. Ray Novak, Harper’s former chief of staff, and Jeremy Hunt, Harper’s former executive assistant and senior adviser, will follow him to the next job.