Stephen Harper is bowing out from politics and Calgary's mayor wants to quash any rumours that he might vie for the former prime minister's seat.
Harper is planning to relinquish his Calgary Heritage seat in the fall after 14 years as a member of Parliament.
Speculation has started about potential candidates, but Nenshi wants to make it clear he won't be one of them.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he has no interest in running for Stephen Harper's seat. (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty)
“It is very flattering that people say I could do a good job there but I have said many times that I have the best political job in Canada and I’ve still got 18 months to go in a mandate, so we’re going to make that the best of the 18 months as we can," Nenshi said at a Wednesday event, according to CTV News.
Nenshi also took the opportunity to share some kind words about Harper, his fellow Calgarian.
"His decade in power changed this country in immeasurable ways and you know whether you agreed or disagreed with his politics, Mr. Harper is a man of enormous integrity who has dedicated his entire life to public service and continues to do so," he told CBC News.
"It is very flattering that people say I could do a good job there but I have said many times that I have the best political job in Canada."
The mayor is a political hot ticket — he's been courted by the federal Conservative Party, federal NDP, provincial Progressive Conservatives and the Alberta Liberals, Metro News reported.
But he's always turned them down.
After he was cast as prime minister in a Canadian novel, Nenshi jokingly contacted the author on Twitter to confirm the book was "science fiction."
As for Harper, his next move is still unknown. He is reportedly looking into a career advocating for international causes.
With files from The Canadian Press
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