Tory Cabinet Minister Michael Chong Has Resigned

CBC TV reports that Tory Michael Chong (President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport) has resigned over his government's stance on the Quebec nation question.

As soon as I can find a news story to link to confirming this, I'll post it.

Update: Via CTV

Conservative cabinet minister appears set to resign his post over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's stand on Quebec.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Michael Chong (he also holds the sport portfolio) will reportedly announce his resignation at a news conference later today.

Chong opposes the motion, set to be voted on in Parliament this evening, that the Quebecois constitute a nation within a united conference.

Independent MP Garth Turner and other sources told The Canadian Press about Chong's impending move, saying he tendered his resignation today.

Other Tory MPs are upset about the motion, Turner said.

The Globe & Mail reports:

OTTAWA — Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Michael Chong quit the Conservative cabinet Monday to protest Prime Minister Stephen Harper's resolution recognizing Quebeckers as a nation, MP Garth Turner said.

Mr. Turner, who was forced out of the Conservative caucus earlier this year, asked Mr. Harper in the House if Mr. Chong was quitting.

The Prime Minister did not respond directly, but said the government will watch the result of the vote on the controversial nation resolution.

Update: Chong held a press conference in which he explained that he believes in civic nationalism as opposed to ethnic nationalism. Further, he said he's resigning his cabinet post so that he can abstain from the vote this evening while sitting in the back benches as an MP.

CTV has more on Chong's press conference.