The 67-year-old lawyer says she wont contest June provincial elections
The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is losing his most high-profile colleague in the Cabinet.
His deputy premier Christine Elliott, 67, will not contest in the June election.
She made this announcement on Friday morning in a new s conference in the presence of Doug Ford.
Elliott said she took the decision after “considerable reflection and discussion” with her family.
She said, ”I sought elected office in 2006 because of my strong desire to improve the quality of life of individuals with special needs, as well as mental health challenges. I saw gaps in care and that motivated me to action.
Elliott, who will stay on as health minister till the elections, said, ”It has truly been an honour and a very great privilege, especially during a pandemic.”
Thanking Ford against whom she contested for party leadership in 2018, she said he is a “close, personal friend.” The two political families are very close.
Premier Ford thanked her for her services.
“I couldn’t ask for a better person, a better friend, a leader, someone with integrity, and just an honest person,” the Premier said.
Elliott, who got elected as an MPP in 2006, also contested against Tim Hudak (2009) and Patrick Brown (2015).
She came out of her three-year retirement (2015-2018) to contest for PC leadership in 2018 and later join the Doug Ford cabinet.
