OTTAWA - Embattled former cabinet minister Bev Oda is saying her final farewells, but isn't offering any explanations for her decision to resign.

Oda announced in early July that she would step down effective today, but didn't reveal what sparked the decision.

She faced controversy over her spending while travelling and the altering of a CIDA funding document.

Specifically, Oda was forced to apologize for ordering a $16 glass of orange juice at a swanky London hotel, an expense she later repaid, among others.

Oda has issued an open letter to her constituents, thanking them for their support.

The letter, released Monday, offers best wishes for whomever is elected to replace her, although a byelection in her southern Ontario riding has yet to be called.

And she recalls the pride and pleasure she took from being involved in everything from local events to international affairs.

Since her first election victory in 2004, Oda has served as Canadian Heritage critic while in opposition, and then as heritage minister and most recently as the minister for international co-operation.

  • Savoy Hotel

    The Savoy hotel name is lit in green neon at the front entrance on December 6, 2007 in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Prince Charles At The Savoy

    Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales leaves after the Savoy hotel's grand re-opening on November 2, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images for The Savoy)

  • Savoy Hotel

    (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Savoy Hotel

    (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Savoy Hotel

    (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Savoy Hotel

    (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Savoy Hotel

    Actor Stephen Fry enters the Savoy Hotel. (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Savoy Hotel

    (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Savoy Hotel

    (Savoy/Fairmont Hotels)

  • Prince Charles At The Savoy

    Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales greets chefs at the Savoy hotels grand re-opening on November 2, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Roland Hoskins - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    Doorman Tony Cortegaca stands at the entrance to the Savoy Hotel on December 6, 2007 in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    A statue of a black cat called Kaspar sits at the entrance to the Savoy Hotel on December 6, 2007 in London. Kaspar the cat, carved in the 1920s from a single piece of wood by designer Basil Ionides, is placed on the table of 13 guests dining in private at the Savoy. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    LONDON - DECEMBER 06: A member of staff checks glasses on a table in the ballroom at the Savoy Hotel on December 6, 2007 in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    A worker cleans the revolving doors in the main entrance lobby of The Savoy hotel on December 6, 2007 in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel Contents To Be Auctioned Off

    Two concierges man the front desk at the Savoy Hotel on December 6, 2007 in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    Workers continue the 220 million GBP refurbishment of the Savoy hotel on August 10, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    Breakfast is prepared at the Savoy Hotel on December 6, 2007 in London (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

  • Savoy Hotel

    The Savoy hotel name is lit in green neon at the front entrance on December 6, 2007 in London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)



Loading Slideshow...