Ontario MPP Michael Bryant To Resign
Posted May 23, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An Ontario MPP will soon be stepping down to take a position with a new Toronto development agency.
As of June 4, Michael Bryant will no longer serve as Minister of Economic Development. Instead, Bryant will take on the CEO position at the Invest Toronto corporation. The company is chaired by Mayor David Miller
Premier Dalton McGuinty will take over the role of economic development mnister.
Bryant says he’s looking forward to his new duties, which include developing the city’s extensive real estate holdings and promoting investment through marketing and trade missions.
“I’m honoured to have served the people of St. Paul’s under the incredible leadership of the premier, for the past 10 years,” he said in a statement.
Bryant, 43, was previously the attorney general as well as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
In recent weeks, Bryant has been heavily involved in talks with the provincial auto industry, including manufacturers and unions.
In a statement, McGuinty wrote that Bryant told him of the decision on Friday. He called Bryant a “tireless advocate” for the people in his riding and praised his “great passion” for democratic traditions.
Bryan had been widely seen as a possible successor to McGuinty.
With files from The Canadian Press.
Premier’s Full Statement
I want to thank Michael Bryant for his years of dedicated public service, for his great passion for our democratic traditions, and for working hard to create opportunity and build a better quality of life for Ontario families.
Michael informed me on Friday that he was going to step aside as Minister of Economic Development in order to pursue a new career as the President and CEO of the City of Toronto’s new economic development agency – Invest Toronto. I will be assuming his responsibilities for the Ministry of Economic Development.
Since he was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 1999, Michael has been a tireless advocate for the families in his riding of St. Paul’s. He has served in the Ontario cabinet in three challenging ministries – Attorney General, Aboriginal Affairs, and Economic Development – in addition to heading up Ontario’s Democratic Renewal Secretariat. Michael has always tackled each new role with his trademark enthusiasm, intelligence and energy.
I know Michael will bring the same level of passion, insight and commitment to his new role with Invest Toronto that he has brought to the provincial government. I wish Michael, his wife Susan Abramovitch and their kids Sadie and Louis all the best as they begin this latest chapter of their lives, together.
