Vancouver Island North Member of Parliament John Duncan has resigned from the federal Conservative government cabinet today.
 
Duncan also gives up his job as Aboriginal Affairs minister.

He released this statement today to explain why.

“In June of 2011 I wrote a character reference letter to the Tax Court of Canada on behalf of an individual to whom my constituency staff was providing casework assistance on a Canada Revenue Agency matter.

While the letter was written with honourable intentions, I realize that it was not appropriate for me, as a Minister of the Crown, to write to the Tax Court. I have therefore offered my resignation as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to the Prime Minister, which he has accepted.

I take full responsibility for my actions and the consequences they have brought.

It has been an honour to serve in the Cabinet and I thank the Prime Minister for placing his confidence in me on this most important file. I have every confidence that the Government will reach its goal of improving the lives of Aboriginal peoples across our country.

I pledge that I will continue to work hard on behalf of the constituents of Vancouver Island North as their elected representative in Ottawa.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has named Port Moody-Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore as interim Aboriginal Affairs minister.

Moore is also Heritage Minister.