OTTAWA - Bob Rae, a fixture on Canada's political scene for more than three decades, is giving up his seat in the House of Commons in order to devote himself to work on behalf of First Nations in northern Ontario.

Rae said he is leaving politics so he can focus on his new role as chief negotiator for First Nations in talks with the province about development of the Ring of Fire mining development in northern Ontario.

"This is going to be a major undertaking," an emotional Rae told a surprise news conference Wednesday in the foyer of the House of Commons.

"It's clear to me that it will take a lot more time and it simply isn't possible to do both jobs at the same time."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/canadian-press-newsalert-toronto-mp-former-liberal-leader-145926406.html