Former Manitoba government minister Ralph Eichler said he is preparing to leave politics. Eichler, 72, says he will serve his term until the next local elections, which are scheduled to be held on October 3 of next year.

He says he wants to spend more time with family, and is announcing now so that the Progressive Conservative Party has time to find a new candidate in the Lakeside electoral district northwest of Winnipeg.

Eichler, who served as Minister of Agriculture and Economic Development before being removed from government this year, is the third senior Tory to announce his departure in recent months.

Scott Fielding resigned in June after serving as Minister of Finance and Natural Resources.

And Eileen Clarke, who served as Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations, announced this summer that she will not seek re-election.

Eichler said Tuesday he looks forward to spending some time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

"I had a health setback last year and I couldn't be in better shape now."

Eichler has served in the legislature since 2003 and served as Minister of Agriculture for three years after the Conservative Party won the 2016 election.