Fullerton resigns as MPP for Kanata-Carleton
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
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.
B.C. rescuers face 'high likelihood' of failure to reunite orphaned orca with pod
The race to reunite an orphaned orca calf that’s stuck in a shallow lagoon with a neighbouring pod has entered its fifth day, and a marine scientist says the clock is ticking.
Video shows police interrupting auto theft in progress outside Toronto home
New video footage obtained by CP24 shows the attempted theft of a vehicle in a North York driveway earlier this month that was ultimately interrupted by police.
Majority of Canadians believe in life after death: Angus Reid survey
A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute has found that a majority of Canadians believe in some form of life after death, a proportion that has held steady for decades.
MyPillow, owned by U.S. election denier Mike Lindell, formally evicted from Minnesota warehouse
A court ordered the eviction Wednesday of MyPillow from a suburban Minneapolis warehouse that it formerly used.