New Brunswick’s environment minister is leaving cabinet and stepping down as MLA.

Gary Crossman announced his resignation in a social media post on Friday afternoon.

“My personal and political beliefs no longer align in many ways with the direction of our party and government,” wrote Crossman.

“Therefore, I will be resigning from my ministerial position immediately and my MLA position in the [next] few days.”

Crossman, who spent more than three decades as an educator, entered politics in 2010 as the deputy mayor of Hampton.

He then went on to put his name forward at the provincial level and was elected MLA of Hampton in 2014.

“I believe I have served to the best of my ability in [a] non-partisan way 24/7, 365 days a year over the last 10 years,” said Crossman.

“My wife Marcia has had my back for 43 years and it is time for me to spend time with her, our family and friends.”

Crossman is the latest Progressive Conservative to either resign or not re-offer in the next election, currently scheduled for October.

There is no word yet on who will take over the environment portfolio.

https://www.facebook.com/GaryCrossmanNB/posts/pfbid0fMBs8TdQVpCMha6H7ffc8ipYzMj7jwPGc1tEBAEvrCD4ckBBkRR8zeMWVF7qbi5Dl