It's back to building supplies for Brian Warr as Liberal MHA returns to his business roots

Another political stunner has shaken up the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature, withveteran Liberal MHABrian WarrannouncingMonday he'sreturning to a business that has sustained his family for four generations: building and hardware supplies.

Warr will work his last day as the MHA forBaie Verte-Green Bay on Fridayand begin a new job on Monday as business development manager for the Castle Building Centres Group, which operates several dozen member-owned stores in the province.

"I was presented with an opportunity a couple of weeks agofrom the organization that I had the opportunity to work with for 28 years in my life prior to politics," Warr told CBC News on Monday morning.

"I just saw it as an opportunity end my working career back in the industry that I love."

Politics takes a toll

Warr's family has been a fixture in the building supplies sector in Springdale for more than a century. He stepped away from the business eight years ago in order to run for the Liberals. Three elections later, along with a series of high-profile cabinet posts, committee roles and his current job as deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Warr said the time is right to exit the political arena.

Warr said he planned to stay in politics as long as he felt he was making a difference, that his health was strong, and that he had the support of his family.

Warr felt he could confidently check the first two boxesbut admitted politics can take a toll on families.

He offered high praise for Premier Andrew Furey and the Liberal governmentand said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in politics. He said the opening of the new Green Bay Health Centre and being able to pay tribute to his parents in the legislature on their 90th birthdays were two high points of his political career.

But Warr, who turns 63 in a few weeks, said he looks forward to spending more time with his loved ones, especially his wife of 42 years, Judy, their two daughters, Kara and Amanda, and their two grandchildren.

He said the negativity linked to politics can be challengingand he was finding it more difficult to keep a positive attitude about the job.

"You get beat down after a while," he said, before quickly qualifying that statement with kind words for the people of his district.

"They have been very, very supportive of me and I appreciate that."

WATCH | It was a family decision, says Brian Warr:

MHA Brian Warr says his wife told him after 2021 no more elections, youre done

7 months ago

Duration 1:39

Brian Warr is resigning his seat for the district of Baie Verte-Green Bay. He will start a new job as business development manager for the Castle Building Centres Group. Warr detailed how much he took to heart the opinion of his wife and daughters when it came time to leave politics.

Warrserved as education ministerduring the height of the global pandemic, and was later shuffled to the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development. But he was dropped from the premier's inner circle following a cabinet shakeup in April 2021.

Warrsaid there wereno lingering hard feelings about his exit from cabinet.

"I worked even harder going forward. I did it because I support Premier Andrew Furey and I support the team," he said.

Premier thanks Warr

OnX, formerly known as Twitter,Premier Andrew Furey thanked Warr for his years in politics.

"I am honoured to have worked with my friend Brian Warr over the last few years delivering for the people of Baie Verte-Green Bay in many ways, including with the new Health Centre," Furey wrote.

"The call to public service is a noble one, and I thank Brian for his dedication and wish him well in this next chapter."

Warr's resignation, just the latest political disturbance in the province, will require the governing Liberals to hold another byelection in the coming weeks.

Last month, Liberal candidate Fred Hutton won a won a Conception Bay East-Bell Island byelectionthat was necessitated by the resignation late last year of former PC leader David Brazil.

Political parties are also now lining up candidates for an upcoming byelection inFogo Island-Cape Freelsto replace the late MHA Derrick Bragg.

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