Former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty resigns as MPP for Ottawa South

TORONTO – Former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty has formally announced he is resigning as the member of provincial parliament for Ottawa South.

McGuinty says Tuesday’s ending of the legislative session is an opportune time for him “to bring to a close” his service to the people in his riding after nearly 23 years.

In a written statement, McGuinty says he will tender his resignation today to the Speaker of the legislature.

Just last month, the former premier had said he would stay as an MPP until the next general election.

McGuinty is leaving with the costly gas plant scandal tainting his legacy, and amid fresh allegations top Liberal staff in his office wiped out email accounts to try to cover up the costs of cancelling the energy projects.

In the statement, McGuinty says he is proud to have been Ontario’s first premier from Ottawa, and leaves politics with his “idealism intact, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have served in public life.”