Fullerton resigns as MPP for Kanata-Carleton
Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario's former minister of long-term care, speaks during a media availability at the Queen's Park in Toronto on Monday May 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Ottawa-area MPP and cabinet minister Merrilee Fullerton is leaving provincial politics, effective immediately.
The Kanata-Carleton Progressive Conservative MPP announced on Twitter Friday afternoon that she has tendered her resignation to Premier Doug Ford. Fullerton's sudden retirement from politics means Ottawa does not have an MPP in the Ontario cabinet.
"A strong sense of duty brought me to politics after decades as a family physician serving my community, to continue my work towards solutions that would address the shortcomings of our healthcare system and improve health care services for individuals," Fullerton said in a letter to the premier.
"I wish to express my appreciation to you, Premier, for the opportunity to serve Ontarians in cabinet. I am grateful for my caucus and cabinet colleagues, who have put their names on the ballot, taken on the responsibilities of public life, and shared this journey with me.
"I am grateful to the constituents of Kanata and West Carleton who have supported me in my efforts to improve the lives of others. It has been an honour to represent Kanata-Carleton in the Ontario Legislature."
She provided no reason why she is resigning as MPP.
Premier Ford issued a statement wishing Fullerton luck as she "retires from the world of politics."
"Merrilee has been a key member of our team since day one, advancing our government’s agenda to build Ontario and helping to lead our response to the COVID-19 pandemic by serving in important roles in Cabinet," Ford said. "I wish my friend the very best as she retires from the world of politics. I have no doubt she’ll continue to give back and contribute to the great communities of Kanata and Carleton in so many ways."
Fullerton was first elected MPP for Kanata-Carleton in the 2018 election, and was re-elected last June with 43 per cent of the vote.
Fullerton was serving as minister of children, community and social services for the Ontario government. She previously served as minister of long-term care and minister of training, colleges and universities.
Michael Parsa has been named the new minister of children, community and social services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What slowdown? Economy outperforms, raising odds of a rate hike
The Canadian economy grew faster than expected in the first three months of the year and likely expanded again in April, fuelling speculation that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates again.
Woman who accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993 defects to Russia
A former staffer who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault has defected to Moscow and spoken to Russian state media in a news conference that lasted several hours.
'Get out or be in the fire': Nova Scotians detail the moments when they fled their homes
Wildfires in Nova Scotia have burned thousands of hectares across the province, forcing many to flee their homes. Halifax-area residents tell CTV News what it was like for them when they had to evacuate.
Toronto blogger warns of 'seismic shift' in SEO amid AI advancements
As text-generative artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT change the tide of web surfing, one Toronto blogger warns of a “seismic shift” in search engine optimization.
WATCH
WATCH | Falling weaponry narrowly misses moving car on Kyiv road
A dashcam caught the moment falling debris from a missile nearly hit a moving vehicle on a Kyiv road on Monday.
'This is going to be a prolonged operation': Halifax-area wildfire grows to 837 hectares
Officials say the wildfire burning in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area has grown to 837 hectares.
Personality changes, confusion could be key signs your liver is failing
Imagine being struck with a sudden onset of confusion, struggling to think of words or to recognize your surroundings — and even ending up in the emergency department because of it. No, this isn’t a description of dementia, but of a common complication that can arise from serious liver disease.
Who are the bride and groom in Jordan's royal wedding?
He's heir to the throne in one of the oldest monarchies in the Middle East and a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. She's a Saudi architect with an aristocratic pedigree of her own.
Quebec firm to pay $10M to avoid charges over bribes promised to Philippine officials
A Quebec forensics company promised millions of dollars in bribes to officials in the Philippines, including a cabinet minister and his brother, as it sought lucrative police contracts, according to a statement of facts attached to a deal the firm struck to avoid prosecution in Canada.
Atlantic
-
'This is going to be a prolonged operation': Halifax-area wildfire grows to 837 hectares
Officials say the wildfire burning in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area has grown to 837 hectares.
-
'For God's sake, stop burning': N.S. premier bans all activity in forests, urges residents to abide by burn ban
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has banned all activity in forests as of Tuesday, and says the wildfire damage is “extensive” and “heartbreaking.”
-
Shelburne County wildfire still out of control as schools close, thousands evacuate
An out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Shelburne County has forced officials to close all public schools in the area.
Toronto
-
4 women, 1 man charged in Ontario human trafficking case involving 13 victims
Four women and one man have been charged in connection with year-long human trafficking investigation in Mississauga that police say involved 13 victims who 'came to Canada for a better life' but were instead coerced into working in the sex trade.
-
Ontario's summer forecast revealed. It might not be what you were hoping for
Ontarians could be looking at a 'love it or leave it' kind of summer this year with below normal temperatures forecast, The Weather Network says.
-
'Mortifying': Toronto woman says restaurant shamed her for ordering too much food
A Toronto woman says she was shamed for the size of her order at a sushi restaurant north of the city in a scathing review posted to social media that’s been viewed more than 1.4 million times.
Montreal
-
5 changes in Quebec's Bill 96 that come into effect June 1
Last year, Quebec’s Bill 96 became law, which brought sweeping changes to the Charter of the French language. Sections of the new law will come into effect on June 1, the one-year anniversary of the bill receiving royal assent.
-
Quebec man, 87, charged in 1980s child sex assaults
An 87-year-old Quebec man has been charged with multiple sexual assaults, 30 years later. Maurice Julien is accused of sexually abusing boys between 1986 and 1989 while involved in a "youth movement" in L'Islet, a riverside town about 100 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.
-
Stay hydrated! Record-breaking heat in Montreal this week
High heat is pushing into parts of Quebec this week, and many communities could see record-breaking temperatures this week. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued special weather statements, advising people of the above-average temperatures.
Northern Ontario
-
Main artery in North Bay closed after early morning trailer fire
A large transport truck carrying 4,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals caught on fire in North Bay around 2:30 a.m., fire officials say.
-
These are the worst roads in northern Ontario 2023
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is out with its annual 'Worst Roads' lists and the top five in northern Ontario are located in Timmins, Greater Sudbury and North Bay.
-
'We are stuck here': Saskatoon woman says she can't sell home due to nearby shelter
A Saskatoon homeowner says her proximity to a homeless shelter is the reason her house wouldn’t sell.
London
-
Overhaul of school boundaries recommended by TVDSB
The final report of Thames Valley District School Board’s largest attendance review in decades has been given final recommendations by the board.
-
'Killing or injuring animal' charge for St. Thomas man already facing attempted murder charge
A St. Thomas, Ont. man charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a 24-year-old woman, is now facing an additional charge.
-
Man suffers serious injury in possible moving mishap
Officers were called to Maitland and Grey streets at 8 a.m. where witnesses said a male was found suffering from a suspected foot injury.
Winnipeg
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | 16 children, one adult sent to hospital after incident at Fort Gibraltar
CTV News has confirmed 16 children and one adult have been transported to hospital following an incident at Fort Gibraltar Wednesday morning.
-
Storm brought funnel cloud, dime-sized hail to parts of Manitoba
A thunderstorm on Tuesday brought heavy rain, a funnel cloud and dime-sized hail to parts of Manitoba on Tuesday.
-
Priest charged in alleged sexual assault of 8-year-old girl on Manitoba First Nation
Manitoba RCMP have arrested a priest from a First Nation community who is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, and believe there may be more victims.
Kitchener
-
'Thank God my kids were not outside': Car crashes through 3 Kitchener backyards
A number of fences will need to be replaced, but people who live on Ralgreen Crescent in Kitchener feel lucky the damage wasn’t much worse after a car careened off the road and smashed through their backyards on Tuesday afternoon.
-
Crash takes out part of pedestrian overpass in downtown Kitchener
Police have closed a section of Charles Street in downtown Kitchener where it appears a garbage truck took out part of an overhead pedestrian bridge.
-
84 pairs of sneakers, four vehicles seized in Guelph police drug investigation
Three men are facing charges following a drug investigation in Guelph.
Calgary
-
2 homes damaged in early morning fire in southeast Calgary
Officials say an early morning fire in southeast Calgary is under control, but two homes were damaged.
-
Kevin J. Johnston sentenced in Delburne, Alta., COVID protest
Former Calgary mayoral candidate Kevin J. Johnston was back in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Friday, May 26 to answer to charges stemming from a protest in Delburne in April 2021.
-
Vehicle crashes through window of southern Alberta town's library
Didsbury RCMP says a worker at the community's library were hurt when a vehicle crashed through its front window on Monday.
Saskatoon
-
'It was a rite of passage': Sask. group comes together to save a nostalgic drive-in theatre
One of Saskatchewan’s last remaining drive-in movie theatres will be opening this season after months of uncertainty.
-
Warman dad left shaken after alleged abduction attempt
A Warman father was left shaken after his daughter informed him of an apparent abduction attempt.
-
'We are stuck here': Saskatoon woman says she can't sell home due to nearby shelter
A Saskatoon homeowner says her proximity to a homeless shelter is the reason her house wouldn’t sell.
Edmonton
-
Evacuations by plane and boat underway in Fort Chipewyan due to growing wildfire
A new wildfire in northern Alberta has become the province's priority as firefighters battle dozens of wildfires across Alberta.
-
What slowdown? Economy outperforms, raising odds of a rate hike
The Canadian economy grew faster than expected in the first three months of the year and likely expanded again in April, fuelling speculation that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates again.
-
Teenage boy dead after dirt bike crash near Alberta-Saskatchewan border
A teenage boy is dead after a crash involving a dirt bike east of Edmonton on Tuesday.
Vancouver
-
Putting Surrey Memorial Hospital's ER on diversion may be the only 'responsible recourse,' staff letter says
Frontline health-care workers at Surrey Memorial Hospital say the emergency room should be shut down to new patients if staff shortages continue to create "perilous" conditions for people in need of urgent care.
-
'Get out or be in the fire': Nova Scotians detail the moments when they fled their homes
Wildfires in Nova Scotia have burned thousands of hectares across the province, forcing many to flee their homes. Halifax-area residents tell CTV News what it was like for them when they had to evacuate.
-
B.C. teachers facing 'unsustainable' pressures due to staff shortages, union says
A "critical" shortage of teachers in B.C. is leading to increased workloads, mounting stress and an inability to meet students' needs, according to a first-of-its-kind survey conducted by the union.
Regina
-
Construction resumes at Regina airport following worker's death
Work is slowly getting back underway following an incident that left a construction worker dead at Regina International Airport.
-
Increased police presence in west-central Swift Current expected
Swift Current RCMP says there will be an increased police presence in the city's west-central area.
-
Tornado surveyors search for damage following first confirmed twister of 2023 in Sask.
Contrary to popular belief, a tornado can’t be rated by the way it looks, rather by the destruction it leaves behind.