Charlene Johnson to leave politics Friday

CBC News has confirmed that Charlene Johnson, the finance minister of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be stepping down at the end of the week.

Johnson is expected to submither resignation on Thursday Sept. 4.

Her final day will be Friday Sept. 5.

On Aug. 29 Johnson told CBC News that she wanted to speak with her family and supporters, before making a final decision on whether she would retire from provincial politics.

Johnson had also said that she wanted to conclude pension talks with public sector unions before she left her post.

Confirmation ofher planned departure comes on the day the government of Newfoundland and Labrador made public the details of a new public pension plan.

During a news conference announcing the pension plan details, Premier Tom Marshall thanked Johnson Tuesday for 'putting her personal life on hold,' to complete the pension deal.

Johnson said last week she was considering leaving politics for reasons having to do with her family.

Her husband works overseas. The pair have a young daughter.

Johnson was first elected in Trinity-Bay de Verde in 2003, when the Tories took power.