Todd Smith answers questions during the daily briefing at Queen's Park in Toronto on April 21, 2020. Smith abruptly resigned from his role on Friday.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Ontario’s Education Minister has abruptly resigned, less than three months after taking over the role in Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet and weeks away from the start of the school year.
Todd Smith, who most recently served as Energy Minister before he was shuffled into education, said in a post on social media that he is leaving politics immediately to take a job in the private sector.
With schools set to resume in two weeks, his departure forced a surprise late summer cabinet shuffle, which saw Mr. Ford add two new faces to the front bench and also create a new cabinet position.
Mr. Smith will be replaced in the role by Jill Dunlop, who served as Minister of Colleges and Universities. Her previous position will be filled by Nolan Quinn, who was Associate Minister of Forestry. Thunder Bay MPP Kevin Holland joins cabinet in the associate forestry role. And Mr. Ford also named Graham McGregor, MPP for Brampton North, as the newly created Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform.
“With these changes, our government remains focused on rebuilding Ontario’s economy and protecting public safety as we deliver better jobs and bigger paycheques for workers in every part of the province,” Mr. Ford said in a statement.
Ms. Dunlop said in a statement she was deeply honoured to have been appointed to the role and that she is committed to continue putting students first.
“I look forward to listening to the voices of the students and parents we serve, ensuring that their needs and concerns remain at the forefront of our efforts,” she said.
Mr. Smith, who served almost 13 years as an MPP and six years in Mr. Ford’s cabinet, said on social media that he made the “very difficult decision” to leave politics and accept a position in the private sector.
Premier Doug Ford unveils cabinet shuffle as Ontario legislature breaks until October
“I have spoken to Premier Ford to let him know that I am resigning my seat and stepping down from my cabinet duties effectively immediately and that I will not be seeking reelection,” Mr. Smith said in a post on X.
His office did not respond to questions about where Mr. Smith is taking a new job.
Mr. Smith, a former broadcaster, represented the Progressive Conservatives in the Eastern Ontario riding of Bay of Quinte, in Prince Edward County. He was first elected in 2011, when the PCs were in opposition, and has served in Mr. Ford’s cabinet since the party formed government in 2018.
In his statement, he thanked Mr. Ford for the opportunity to serve in cabinet for more than six years “and for entrusting me with a number of important files.”
“I know Premier Ford and all of my colleagues around the cabinet table and in our PC caucus will continue to deliver on this important work and get things done for the people of Ontario,” Mr. Smith said.
He thanked his wife, Tawnya, a local high-school vice-principal, and his two daughters for supporting him.
“It hasn’t always been easy. The life of a politician is hard and takes its toll,” he said.
In a statement on X, Mr. Ford reposted Mr. Smith’s tweet and wrote, “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Todd for his many years of service to our government, our province and our party.”
“He leaves politics with a record that he can be incredibly proud of, including and especially fixing the previous government’s energy policies and bringing electricity prices down for hardworking families and businesses. Todd will always be a friend, and I can’t wait to watch his every success as he starts this next chapter of his life.”
Mr. Smith previously served as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Minister of Children, Community and Social Services; and most recently, as Energy Minister for three years. He was known for being an able communicator in the legislature who helped the government tackle difficult issues, including taking over the contentious autism file in 2019.
Mr. Smith took over the education file from Stephen Lecce, who became Energy Minister in the June cabinet shuffle.
The education file is a challenging one, particularly for conservative governments, who are often at odds with teachers’ unions over contract talks. He served in his new post for only 10 weeks.
Karen Littlewood, president at the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, responded to Mr. Smith’s sudden departure by saying on X, “I wish you all the best! Sorry we never got to meet in person. Sadly, another loss to privatization from the public education sector.”
On Thursday, Mr. Smith released the Ontario government’s new child care funding policy for daycare operators.
In response to Mr. Smith’s resignation, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the province’s education and child care systems are in crisis.
“That the brand-new Education Minister and minister in charge of child care abruptly jumps ship with less than three months on the job, the day after an important, long-delayed funding formula announcement for child care and just weeks before school is starting, shows the level of seriousness with which Doug Ford and his politicians take kids and families,” she said in a statement.
“Families deserve a government that invests in schools, reduces class sizes and put students and kids first.”
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said that after six years of Mr. Ford’s government, schools are overcrowded, and Ontario’s economic growth is falling behind the province’s rivals.
“We don’t need a new Education Minister – we need a new government focused on giving more to children, educators, and families, not even more to Ford’s rich friends,” she said in a statement.