On August 16, 2024, Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith announced that he was resigning from cabinet and as an MPP effective immediately to take up a private sector position. This comes less than 10 weeks after he was named to the Minister of Education, less than 3 weeks before the start of the school year and one day after he announced a long-awaited new funding formula for child-care operators in the national $10-a-day program and an upcoming cut to the fees parents pay.
He says won’t be commenting further until next week.
The move will trigger a byelection in the riding of Bay of Quinte within 6 months.
Todd Smith’s statement
The last 13 years serving the people of Bay of Quinte and Prince-Edward-Hastings have been the honour of a lifetime.
After almost 13 years as a Member of Provincial Parliament and 6 years in Premier Ford’s Cabinet I have made the very difficult decision to leave politics and accept a position in the private sector.
I have spoken to Premier Ford to let him know that | am resigning my seat and stepping down from my cabinet duties effective immediately and that I will not be seeking reelection.
To my constituents in Bay of Quinte and Prince-Edward-Hastings, thank you for your trust and support – which | am proud to say has grown significantly in each of the last four Ontario elections. It’s been an honour to be your voice at Queen’s Park, and to work with leaders across our communities to deliver new homes, schools, long-term care facilities, a new humane society, anew YMCA and so much more. I’m thrilled that one of my final acts as a MPP was to break ground for a new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital in Picton – a project I’ve been championing for over a decade.
I also want to thank Premier Ford for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet for more than six years and for entrusting me with a number of important files.
I also want to thank Premier Ford for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet for more than six years and for entrusting me with a number of important files.
Over the past three years as Minister of Energy | had the honour of releasing Powering Ontario’s Growth – our plan to build the largest expansion of clean electricity generation and transmission in decades – including the first expansion of nuclear energy in a generation. As Economic Development Minister, we assembled our automotive partners and delivered a Driving Prosperity plan that has resulted in historic investments in our auto manufacturing sector – which has now reached almost $50B. And as Minister of Children, Community and Social
Services, we supported and cared for some of our most vulnerable citizens through a global pandemic.I know Premier Ford and all of my colleagues around the Cabinet table and in our PC caucus will continue to deliver on this important work and get things done for the people of Ontario.
Throughout this time I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the brightest and most caring, committed people you could ever imagine in my local constituency office and in each ministry. Thank you to my teams who really were and are family to me.
But, most importantly, to my wife Tawnya and my daughters Payton and Reagan, thank you for your love and support. It hasn’t always been easy. The life of a politician is hard and takes its toll. Especially when I was away from home as often as I’ve been over the past 13 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system at home.
Todd Smith on X
Sources who were not authorized to publicly discuss the issue have told The Canadian Press that Smith was not happy about the move to education in a cabinet shuffle in June, following three years as energy minister.
The Canadian Press
Responses
He leaves politics with a record that he can be incredibly proud of, including and especially fixing the previous government’s energy policies and bringing electricity prices down for hardworking families and businesses.
I can’t wait to watch his every success as he starts this next chapter of his life.
Premier Doug Ford
This is a tremendous loss for our Bay of Quinte Region but I know it’s the best decision for Todd Smith and his family.
Todd has served this region tremendously well, has been an advocate for so many people, and has put his life and soul into the job of member of provincial parliament, a job I know is extremely taxing but very rewarding to serve in public service.
I want to especially thank also Tawnya and Reagan and Payton who serve alongside Todd, and have put equal sacrifices on behalf of the people of this region. Thank you to Todd and the Smith family!
Ryan Williams, Bay of Quinte MP on Facebook
Minister Smith, we saw firsthand that you worked hard for the people of Ontario. You were a steady force as Minister of Energy with a clear vision to the energy future. Thank you for your service.
Enbridge Gas on X
A few hours after the announcement, Jill Dunlop was named Ontario’s new education minister to replace Todd Smith. Nolan Quinn will take over Dunlop’s portfolio and become the minister of Colleges and Universities.
With these changes, our government remains focused on rebuilding Ontario’s economy and protecting public safety as we deliver better jobs and bigger paycheques for workers in every part of the province
Premier Doug Ford
Bonnie Crombie, Liberal leader
After six years of Doug Ford, our schools are overcrowded, and Ontario’s economic growth is falling behind our rivals.
We don’t need a new Education Minister – we need a new government focused on giving more to children, educators, and families, not even more to Ford’s rich friends.
Bonnie Crombie
Marit Styles, NDP leader
People in Ontario deserve a government that treats our children’s education and the system that cares for our littlest ones as valuable, not trivial.
Both of these sectors are in crisis. That the brand-new Education minister and minister in charge of Child Care abruptly jumps ship with less than three months on the job, the day after an important, long-delayed funding formula announcement for child care and just weeks before school is starting, shows the level of seriousness with which Doug Ford and his politicians take kids and families.
Families deserve a government that invests in schools, reduces class sizes and put students and kids first.
Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP
Open Council commentary
Smith’s resignation after 13 years as a MPP is both sudden and unexpected. Departing mid-term from a cabinet position is very uncommon.
Questions that remain include:
- What company did he accept a job offer from? When did that company offer him the job?
- Why leave now? Minister of Education is an important portfolio. There’s 2 years left on the term he committed to for his constituents, or even less if an early election is called.
- Will a by-election be called or will the seat remain open if there is an early Ontario election?
- Who will replace him as the PCO candidate in Bay of Quinte?
Note: MPPs in Ontario don’t get a pension since Mike Harris’ government got rid of their pension program.
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