Harper Says Canada Minister Oda Resigning From Parliament

Canadian International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda, who faced criticism over her travel expenses, said today she will resign from Parliament July 31.

Oda advised Prime Minister Stephen Harper two weeks ago that she will step down as the lawmaker representing the district of Durham, Ontario, she said in a statement on her website.

Oda was criticized by opposition lawmakers since it was revealed in April that while on a business trip she rejected staying at a luxury hotel in London and opted to stay at one that was more than twice as expensive.

“Bev has made a significant contribution to her riding, her province and her country since her election to Parliament in 2004,” Harper said in an e-mailed statement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andrew Mayeda in Ottawa at amayeda@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Chris Wellisz at cwellisz@bloomberg.net