Ignatieff steps down as federal Liberal leader
Posted May 3, 2011 10:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – Michael Ignatieff will step down as Liberal leader after he and his party suffered devastating defeats in Monday’s federal election.
The announcement was made during a news conference, Tuesday, at Toronto’s downtown Sheraton Hotel.
The Liberals were reduced to an all-time low as Stephen Harper’s Conservatives were vaulted to majority status in the House of Commons.
Ignatieff said he is a teacher and wants to return to the classroom to educate young Canadians.
“What I’d like to go back and do is teach young Canadians. I’m a teacher born and bred, and I’m really looking forward to teaching. No offers yet, no reasonable offers refused, but that’s where I’ll go,” he said to the Toronto audience.
Under Ignatieff, the Liberal party that governed the country for much of the past century was reduced to just 34 seats, a distant third behind Jack Layton’s bounding New Democrats.
“I do want to remind you that this was a Prime Minister found in Contempt of Parliament,” he said. “I think the surest guarantee for the future for the Liberal Party of Canada is four years of Conservative government and four years of NDP opposition.”
Ignatieff, who also lost his own seat in Toronto, says he will consult with party officials about the timing of his departure.
Under party rules, a leadership convention must be held within six months of the leader’s departure.
