OTTAWA — Former interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose is officially out of federal politics.
Ambrose formally resigned her House of Commons seat today by way of a letter to the Speaker.
After 13 years as an MP, I'm excited to embark on new challenges today! I hope I've been able to inspire women to consider public service. pic.twitter.com/DWRKxk2zMX
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) July 4, 2017
Ambrose represented an Alberta riding for the last 13 years and took on temporary leadership of the party in the fall of 2015.
She had already indicated plans to resign her seat once a permanent leader was chosen and the Commons rose for the summer; Andrew Scheer was elected in May and MPs went home late last month.
Among other things, Ambrose will be working on Canada-U.S. relations with a D.C.-based think tank.
In her letter, she says it was the privilege of her life to serve and she hopes she has inspired women and girls to aspire to public office as a way to make the world a better place.
She says her message to them is, "You are equal, you are worthy, and you can do it."
Women are capable of anything we put our minds to. I will always believe that. #IWD2017 #SheInspiresMe pic.twitter.com/0ASxcMSaFe
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) March 8, 2017