John Baird (Canadian politician)

John Baird (born May 6, 1969) is a Canadian politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1995 to 2015, representing various ridings in Ottawa. He held several prominent cabinet positions in the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Baird entered federal politics after serving as a city councillor in Ottawa. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 1995 as a Progressive Conservative, later joining the newly formed Conservative Party of Canada in 2003 following a merger.

During his time in government, Baird served as Minister of the Environment, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. As Minister of the Environment, he oversaw Canada's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he played a significant role in shaping Canada's foreign policy, particularly in relation to the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia.

Baird was known for his combative style in the House of Commons and his strong advocacy for Conservative policies. He announced his resignation from cabinet and Parliament in February 2015 and has since held various positions in the private sector. He is currently a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP, a Canadian law firm.