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The news that Rodger Cuzner will not seek reelection in Cape Breton will deprive Parliament of one of its most colourful and collegial characters.

Rodger the Rhymer has been a Liberal MP since 2000, earning the esteem of his colleagues on all sides of the House with his earthy take on life and politics. His annual humourous re-write of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas rivals William Topaz McGonagall’s Tay Bridge Disaster as the worst poetry in history. But his wit and sound judgment will be missed around the place.

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He is not the only silver fox set to depart the Liberal benches. There is speculation that Andrew Leslie, the former Canadian Forces lieutenant-general, will not run again for the Liberals in Ottawa riding of Orléans. (Neither Leslie nor the Liberal Party returned emails seeking comment.)

If his departure is confirmed, it is a sign of the times for the Liberals. Based on experience, both should have been cabinet ministers. Cuzner was a parliamentary secretary in Jean Chrétien’s government 16 years ago and has since served as the party whip; Leslie was a former chief of the land staff who was charged with producing a report on the transformation of the Canadian Forces.