Will he lie low?

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,”

African Proverb

Another prominent member of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government will not seek re-election in Parliament in October. Peter MacKay’s exit from federal politics, though a bit of a stunner has even stunning reason and after-effects attached to it- to spend more time with his young family. He will be able to collect his full yearly pension of $128,832 at age 55, instead of 65.

He’s expecting a second child. The news comes after foreign minister John Baird unexpectedly announced in February that he was leaving politics. Peter MacKay has been in politics for good eighteen years. People liked him despite surrounded by controversies as he is credited with creation of Conservative Party. His deal in 2003 with Stephen Harper to create the Conservative Party and thus cementing his influence with the party leader. Almost a repeat action of his father Elmer MacKay, who in 1983 stood aside to let Brian Mulroney win a Commons seat guaranteeing his influence with a future prime minister. Senior Mackay won seven elections, retiring undefeated. Peter has won five in a row!

Holding some of the most prestigious cabinet positions, Peter MacKay had a weight to his representation in the parliament and cabinet holding prominent posts: defence, foreign and justice.

Peter MacKay faced ample heat earlier this year for having ties with six of the nine judges appointed to the courts in Nova Scotia since 2013, the ties ranging from “personal friendships to political colleagues”.  The criticism was directed at Peter MacKay who never defended himself then. A spokesperson for MacKay came to his rescue who told media that lawyers applying to become judges are assessed and recommended by a committee.”The minister of justice only appoints those recommended by such committees.” One of highest profile appointment went bad, when the Supreme Court rejected his choice of Justice Marc Nadon to join the nation’s top court.

There have been few other blunders too. One of the most remarkable one happened at an on-stage Q&A with former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in January 2011. As defence minister Mackay told governor Schwarzenegger that California and British Columbia shared a border. The governor corrected MacKay, reminding him the states of Oregon and Washington lie in between.

His emails on the occasion of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day too caught the attention. In the Mother’s Day email, MacKay thanked his female staff for changing diapers and packing lunches, while in the Father’s Day email, he lauded his male staff for moulding and shaping the “next generation of leaders.” Many dismissed MacKay’s messages as old-fashioned and demeaning. In 2010, when he was defence minister, his department’s refusal to hand over uncensored documents on Afghan detainees led to contempt of Parliament vote by opposition members and the fall of the government.

While many party faithful will be saddened by his exit. It opens the doors for others who want to capture the unbeatable seat including aspirants from his own party. But is it the end of the path of Peter MacKay? In his press conference he said “never say never” to a return to politics, and he quoted his father’s saying about never locking a door behind you. MacKay is only 49. He will be watching the fortunes of his party closely in the next campaign and is likely to take an even stronger decision in the light of what the voters decide for the Conservative Party in the coming federal elections.