Premier, mayor react to David Orazietti stepping down

Premier Kathleen Wynne's statement on David Orazietti's decision to step down as Sault MPP follows:

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Premier’s statement on David Orazietti

Premier Kathleen Wynne issued the following statement today thanking David Orazietti, for his service to the people of Ontario:

“I want to thank David Orazietti for 13 years of dedication and leadership on behalf of the people of Sault Ste. Marie, and people all across Ontario.

David and I were both first elected as MPPs in 2003. I quickly came to appreciate his passionate, activist approach to making a positive difference in people’s lives. As a backbench MPP, David introduced Private Member’s Bills to improve northern highways, protect children from second-hand smoke in vehicles, increase the northern health travel grant, improve access to breast cancer screenings and better protect consumers from unfair business practices.

At the Cabinet table, David was a strong voice for Northern Ontario. As the Minister of Natural Resources, Government and Consumer Services, and most recently, Community Safety and Correctional Services, David’s leadership has helped our team build Ontario up and make government more responsive to people’s everyday challenges.

Throughout all his roles in Cabinet and caucus, David never ceased to be a fantastic and tireless representative for the people of the Soo. Above all else, David was at Queen’s Park to represent his community. The people of Sault Ste. Marie are fortunate to have had 13 years of representation from someone as committed, caring and effective as David.

Public service is a great honour, but it is not without sacrifice. Particularly for members who travel great distances to be at Queen’s Park, the time away from family is hard. While I will personally miss David and his unshakeable focus on meeting the needs and expectations of the people we are honoured to serve, I am happy that his decision to step down as the MPP for Sault Ste. Marie will mean more time to spend with his wife Jane and their two children.

I wish David all the best in his future endeavours.

Earlier this afternoon the LG accepted my recommendation that Minister Flynn be appointed to temporarily assume the Community Safety and Correctional Services portfolio in addition his existing duties.”

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The following is a release form Christian Provenzano, mayor of Sault Ste. Marie:

“Throughout his time in elected office, David Orazietti has worked tirelessly on behalf of our community. There is no question that he has had a remarkable career in provincial politics and our city is undeniably the better for it.

You can see his work and his effort everywhere in our community: in our schools, our infrastructure and our health care system.

“On behalf of Sault Ste. Marie City Council and the City of Sault Ste. Marie I would like to thank Minister Orazietti and his family for his many years of dedicated service to the community and wish them well on the next chapter of their lives.”

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