Todd Smith resigns MPP Bay of Quinte seat – effective immediately

UPDATE: Smith has joined Candu Energy Inc., as a vice-president for the nuclear-reactor builder. He is responsible for marketing and business development, overseeing international relations with partners and customers.

The news release stated that prior to his hiring, Smith consulted the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario to ensure compliance following his resignation.

AUG. 16: Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith has resigned from provincial parliament – effective immediately.

Smith, 53, shared his statement on social media.

“After almost 13 years as a member of parliament and six years in Premier Ford’s cabinet, I have made the very difficult decision to leave politics and accept a position in the private sector.”

His constituency office notes he will not be making further comment until next week.

The move will trigger a byelection and Ford will have to appoint a new education minister, which has been Smith’s most recent post, having served there for 10 weeks since the last cabinet shuffle. (UPDATE: Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop has been named to the post. Nolan Quinn takes over Dunlop’s portfolio)

In the statement he thanks constituents for their trust and support over the last four Ontario elections – since 2011.

“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, a new YMCA and so much more.

“I’m thrilled 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.

He also thanks Ford in his statement for entrusting him with a number of important files, including over the past three years as minister of energy. He also served as economic development minister and minister of children, community and social services, minister of government and consumer services. He was government house leader between June 2018 and June 2019.

“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,” he said in his statement conclusion. “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.”

Ford, in his statement, thanked Smith for his years of service, saying the Bay of Quinte MPP will always be a friend.

“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,” the premier said.

“I can’t wait to watch his every success as he starts this next chapter of his life.”