Ontario's Minister of Francophone Affairs and MPP for York-Simcoe, Caroline Mulroney, announced on Monday her intent to resign from the Ontario government, citing a desire to start a "new chapter." "Serving as your Member of Provincial Parliament for York-Simcoe and as a member of the Ontario government for the past eight years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life," wrote Mulroney, the daughter of former Premier Ben Mulroney, in an X post. "It is not a decision I have made lightly. Two years ago, I lost my father. Last year, my husband Andrew and I became empty nesters. These are the kinds of moments that clarify what matters. Together, they have led me to the conclusion that now is the right time to step back from elected life and begin a new chapter, one I am genuinely excited about.".Mulroney was first elected to represent York-Simcoe as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in June 2018, and will serve until her resignation, effective June 5. "I am proud of what we accomplished together: building the Bradford Bypass, the protection of the North Gwillimbury Forest, safeguarding Lake Simcoe from additional wastewater while securing a new phosphorus reduction facility and advancing the new acute care hospital for Southlake Health in East Gwillimbury," Mulroney wrote. "None of it happened by accident. It happened because you were engaged, you were vocal, and you held me accountable." .She served as the Minister of Francophone Affairs for her entire time in government, acted as the Attorney General from June 2018 through June 2019, as the Minister of Transportation from June 2019 to September 2023, and as the President of the Treasury Board since September 2023. "It has been a privilege to work alongside you," Mulroney wrote in the portion of her letter addressed to Ontario's Francophone community. "From establishing a Francophone university to modernizing the French Language Services Act, and so much in between, we accomplished things that will endure." "Ontario's Francophone community is not a constituency to be managed. It is a vital, vibrant part of who we are as a province and as a country. I look forward to finding new ways to contribute to its flourishing in the years ahead." .Mulroney was elected to Premier Doug Ford's first caucus in 2018 and served alongside him until her resignation. "Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to this province," Mulroney wrote in the portion of her letter addressed to Ford. "And keep working on your French. I know you can do it!"She closed her letter with expressions of gratitude to her family and optimism for her future outside of politics. "There is an old line in politics that the worst day in elected life is better than the best day outside of it," Mulroney wrote. I'm not sure that's true, but I do know that I will miss the people I have worked with over the past eight years more than you know.""The people I have worked alongside, including more than a few friends on the opposition benches, have made me a better person. The energy of Queen's Park is one I hope I will carry with me forever."
