Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott will not seek re-election, sources say
Christine Elliott, one of the high-profile members of Premier Doug Ford's cabinet, will not be running in the provincial election in June, CTV News has learned.
Sources said Elliott, the Progressive Conservative MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, will announce she will not seek re-election on Friday.
Elliott has served as Ontario's health minister since 2018, overseeing the province's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elliott, who is also the deputy premier, is the latest notable PC MPP to leave Queen's Park. In January, Ajax MPP and Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips announced that he was resigning and won't seek re-election.
Political strategist Marcel Wieder said Elliott's pending departure is "earth-shattering" as she is considered one of the most trusted ministers of the Ford government.
"Christine Elliot was one of the most able ministers of the Ford government. She was the voice of reason. She was able to bring in a calming influence. She reassured people. She did everything textbook--wise that you would want in a minister in a crisis that we face, and now she's gone," Weider said.
"And who would be able to step in at this late stage to take over?"
Elliott was first elected to the provincial legislature in 2006 before resigning in 2015 following her second failed bid to become the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
In 2018, in her third attempt to become the party leader, Elliott was beaten by Ford.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401 leaves 4 dead, including infant
A wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. last night has left four people dead, including an infant, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.