Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney will resign her post, step down as an MPP and return to the private sector in early June, dealing a blow to Ontario Premier Doug Ford as he loses a prominent front-bencher.
Mulroney has served in Ford’s cabinet since the Progressive Conservatives first took office in June 2018, holding high-profile roles such as transportation minister, attorney general and president of the treasury board, where she oversees spending decisions across the Ontario government.
Mulroney said she spoke to Ford on Sunday and informed him that she had decided to “resign from cabinet” on June 5 and will walk away from her York-Simcoe seat, triggering a byelection.
“It is not a decision I have made lightly,” Mulroney said in a statement posted on social media.
Mulroney cited the death of her father, former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, coupled with the recent departures of her university-bound children, as moments that “clarify what matters.”
In a statement, Ford called Mulroney a “close personal friend” and said the province is lucky to have had her serve at the cabinet table.
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“I will miss seeing her sitting across from me at the Cabinet table and in caucus meetings,” Ford said.
The premier’s office said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will take on the treasury board role on an interim basis. Long-Term Care Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta will add francophone affairs to her portfolio in the short term.
Sources told Global News that Mulroney’s resignation came as a shock to cabinet members and staff, who were not told of her decision to leave, while some colleagues learned about her impending departure in a Globe and Mail article.
Speaking at Queen’s Park on Monday morning, Mulroney said she hadn’t decided what she would do next, but suggested she would return to the private sector.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles wished the departing minister well.
“I wish her all the best, I truly do,” she said. “I thank her for her public service to the people of Ontario.”
Mulroney told reporters she’s “definitely ready to step away from elected politics for now.”
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know I’m looking forward to some time with my family,” she added.
Asked if she would run federally, Mulroney said she was “ruling out” going back into elected politics “in the next few years.”
Mulroney’s political opponents praised her service after the announcement on Monday morning.
“The government can be on the ropes and somebody can leave for the reasons that they stated,” Ontario Liberal interim leader John Fraser said.
“All of our families give up a lot, and we give up of time with their families, and you never get that back. So I take her at her word, thank her for her service, I didn’t always agree with her… but I think it’s important that we show respect for each other.”
The resignation also comes as Ford weathers a political storm over his decision to purchase a $28.9 million Challenger 650 jet and controversial changes to Ontario freedom of information laws.
Mulroney had been under increased political pressure as well from opposition parties, who grilled her during Question Period on cabinet’s decision to authorize the purchase of the jet.
While her departure will likely be cast as a comment on Ford’s leadership, Mulroney offered nothing but praise for the premier, especially on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the trade war with the United States.
“I am proud of what we accomplished together,” Mulroney said in her statement. “It has been a honour to serve in your cabinet.”
More like a rat fleeing a sinking ship.. She is hoping the stank of Fords corruption won’t cling to her if she leaves now. She knows that the fall is coming for Doug Fraud
Her reasons seem highly invalid. The departure of her university-bound children was a nice touch. There’s nothing quite like the millionaire political class rubbing their kids’ education under the noses of the working poor who’s kids cannot afford it.
Caroline is tired of Lard Fords corruption and ethics breaches.
Rats escape from burning building