John Baird's exit from public life after roughly 20 years has taken many by surprise.
Baird, first elected to the Ontario legislature at the tender age of 26, has always been seen as someone who lives for the cut-and-thrust of politics. And with a federal election less than nine months away, one could argue Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs him now more than ever.
When the news broke Monday night, former interim Grit leader Bob Rae summed up on Twitter how many political observers feel about the popular but polarizing figure.
"John Baird is bombastic, mean spirited, vicious, eloquent, generous, smart, cantankerous, hardworking, ingratiating, effective, human," Rae wrote.
In short, there's nobody quite like John Baird.
And while we don't yet know what the future holds for Baird, 45, some of the moments he provided as a provincial MPP, MP and cabinet minister will be hard to forget.
Here now are just a few that spring to mind.
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
Photo credit: DFAIT
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
Said Mark Levin: "Imagine somebody of this mindset, these principles, this kind of vision, this belief system, being in our Oval Office — not some lightweight cheap-shot artist."
All the best, Mr. Baird.
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
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