Laurel Broten stepping down from politics
Posted June 23, 2013 7:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten has announced she will not be seeking re-election in her riding and will be leaving politics effective July 2.
In a statement released Sunday evening Broten said “it is time for me to look forward to the challenges of the next chapter in my career.”
She said she informed Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne of her decision earlier this week and will be relocating to Halifax before school starts in the fall.
“This was a very difficult decision for me to make and one that was made after much soul searching and consultation with my family,” Broten explained. “Between now and then, the only thing I know for sure is that, rather than having my days guided by a minute by minute detailed itinerary as they have been for the last ten years, life will be guided by Zachary and Ryan time.”
Broten was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2003 and was appointed Minister of Education in October 2011. She was later appointed Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues.
“For more than nine years, Laurel has been an integral member of our team, having served in such diverse portfolios as Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of the Environment and Minister of Education,” said Wynne in a statement. “Her presence at Queen’s Park will be missed and I wish Laurel all the very best in the new stage of her life and career.”
Wynne has six months to call a byelection in Broten’s riding, but must call byelections in Windsor-Tecumseh and London-West by Aug. 15.
The premier also said she would call a byelection for Ottawa South to replace former premier Dalton McGuinty at the same time as she calls the Windsor and London votes to replace former cabinet ministers Dwight Duncan and Chris Bentley.
With files from The Canadian Press
