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The member of Parliament says he looks forward to returning to private life and that it has been an honour to represent the riding for the past six years.

Benzen, who is 63, says he's confident party leader Pierre Poilievre can win the next election and that now is the right time to "hand off the baton" as the Tories prepare.

Earlier this year, Benzen called for Ontario MP Erin O'Toole to be removed as party leader, which the Conservative caucus voted to do in February.

Benzen was first elected in a byelection in April 2017 to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper, who stepped down after losing the 2015 election.

This report by °µÍø½ûÇø was first published Oct. 20, 2022.