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This article was published 28/4/2010 (3808 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis gestures as she speaks with media outside the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday April 27, 2010. Wasylycia-Leis announced today that she is leaving federal politics and will be resigning the seat she has held for Winnipeg North since 1997.

OTTAWA - Winnipeg North MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis delivered her farewell speech to the House of Commons this afternoon.

Wasylycia-Leis, 58, will resign her seat Saturday, ending a nearly 13-year career in Parliament as an MP. She is widely expected to announce next week she is running for mayor in Winnipeg though she has not confirmed that and says she has to consult with her family and friends before making a final decision.

"This is not an easy day," she said opening the seven-minute speech.

The speech was a mixture of self-deprecation, gratitude and humour, including a note that her parents always called her the perfect child until she learned how to talk, and that she was leaving Parliament just when her party might be in a "three-way race".

A recent poll had the NDP at 20, to the Liberals 27 and Conservatives 29. It was the tightest three-way showing of the three parties most can remember.

MPs from all party’s paid tribute to Wasylycia-Leis including Conservative Merv Tweed who pointed out Wasylycia-Leis was the first and only graduate of the Parliamentary internship program who was elected as an MP and noted her "contagious laugh" and "generosity."

Liberal Anita Neville called Wasylycia-Leis "strong and feisty" and a "vigorous defender" of Canada’s public health care system.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said Wasylycia-Leis was instrumental in bringing more women into the NDP fold including as candidates and elected MPs.

"There is no question we are going to miss her in so many ways," he said.