Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigns from his position in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet giving a prior conflict of interest as his reason.
In a statement posted on his official website, Minister John Duncan said he wrote a character reference on behalf of one of his constituents to the Canada Revenue Agency in June 11, 2011. Citing this as inappropriate, due to his position in government. Duncan tendered his resignation from cabinet on February 15, 2013.
His resignation comes after months of protests from Aboriginal groups across Canada. Challenges to Omnibus bills C-38 and C-45, Bill C-27 First Nations Financial Transparency Act and First Nations Education Reform are some of the issues his department faced in recent months. He also initiated an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the inclusion of Metis and Non-status Indians as Indians under the Indian Act.
Heritage Minister James Moore was appointed as temporary Aboriginal Affairs Minister until P.M. Stephen Harper finds a permanent replacement.
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