TORONTO - Former Ontario cabinet minister Aileen Carroll is joining the growing ranks of Liberals who say they won't run for re-election in the fall.
Carroll, who served for two years as culture minister and minister responsible for seniors, won't be seeking a second term on Oct. 6.
The Halifax-born politician also served as federal minister of international co-operation in the Paul Martin government.
She was elected to provincial parliament in 2007 in the Barrie riding north of Toronto.
Several prominent Liberals have announced they won't run again, including Speaker Steve Peters, Monique Smith and David Ramsay.
Former labour minister Peter Fonseca is not expected to run either, as he'll be seeking a federal seat.
Carroll noted that over the last four years, there was an "unprecedented infusion" of provincial cash to Barrie -- more than half a billion dollars -- much of which went to health care.
She said she's not planning to retire and will pursue "other opportunities" after the October election.
"It has been a great privilege to serve the people of Barrie at Queen's Park and engage the numerous issues that impact their lives and the well-being of our community," she said in a statement.
Carroll started her political career in 1995 as a Barrie alderman. She won the seat as a federal Liberal candidate in 1997 and was re-elected twice in 2000 and 2004.
