Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney is calling it quits.
Mulroney announced Monday she had informed Premier Doug Ford she would resigning as minister and as York-Simcoe MPP when the legislature rises next month.
In a letter to constituents, which was first reported by the Globe and Mail, the three-term member said the death of her father, former prime minister Brian Mulroney, two years ago and other life events have given her a new perspective.
“Last year, my husband Andrew and I became empty nesters,” she said, referring to her four university-aged children.
Along with helming the Treasury Board, Mulroney serves as Francophone Affairs minister. She previously served as attorney general and as transportation minister.
In a statement, Ford, who will need to call a byelection in York-Simcoe before the end of the year, said “Ontario is lucky to have benefited from Caroline Mulroney’s calm and steady leadership in cabinet.”
“Caroline leaves behind a record she can be immensely proud of: a historic funding agreement for the largest expansion of public transit in North America, disciplined fiscal policies that are helping to keep our economy competitive while investing in critical front-line services and a strong and thriving Francophone community across the province, to name only a few,” said the premier.
“Caroline is more than a colleague: she is a close personal friend. I will miss seeing her sitting across from me at the cabinet table and in caucus meetings. Politics is in Caroline’s blood. The Ontario PC Party and our conservative movement will no doubt continue to benefit from her ideas and ideals. Here’s to an exciting next chapter for Caroline and her family.”
Ford added that “in addition to his role as Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy will on an interim basis serve as President of Treasury Board once Caroline’s resignation takes effect on June 5.”
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