McGuinty quitting as Ontario Premier amid growing spending scandal

Dalton McGuinty will be stepping down as Ontario's Premier.

McGuinty will remain in the position until a Liberal leadership convention has selected a successor.

The announcement was made early this evening during an emergency Liberal caucus meeting.

After leaving the top job, McGuinty will remain as the MPP for Ottawa South, at least until the next election.

Ontario's 24th Premier first led the provincial Liberals to power in 2003.

Reelection followed in 2007. 

A year ago the McGuinty Liberals won again, but were reduced to minority status.

Today's surprise move comes as controversies around cancelled southern Ontario gas-fired power plants grow.

The Conservatives have accused McGuinty and the Liberals of wasting as much as $640-million of taxpayers' money on the politically driven decisions.

Other accusations claim the Liberals are hiding many related details.

In addition, Energy Minister Chris Bentley is waiting to find out if the Finance Committee will find him in contempt of Parliament.

The McGuinty government has also faced extensive criticism over extensive air ambulance and e-health bungling.

In a message posted on the Ontario Liberals' website, McGuinty says: "In every area that matters most to families - their schools, their health care, their environment and their economy -  we've made huge progress.

"We’ve gone from struggling schools to the best schools in the English-speaking world ...

"From Canada’s longest health-care wait times, to the shortest …

"From dirty air to clean air …

"And the toughest drinking water standards, anywhere."

Later, McGuinty adds: "We've positioned Ontario for decades of success."

To read the full text, click here.

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