Long-time Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton had his final day in elected office.
“Thank you, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex,” McNaughton posted on social media.
“(October 6) is my last day as Member of Provincial Parliament. I was elected on October 6, 2011 – 12 years ago today. It has been the honour of a lifetime serving you. Kate, Annie and I took our Wallaceburg and Strathroy team (and some former staff) out for a thank you lunch. They have been like family to us.”
In a separate post, McNaughton added: “Thank you Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. It’s been the honour of my life to serve as your MPP. You sent me to Queen’s Park 12 years ago – October 6, 2011. Today is our last, together, on this journey. We weren’t just marking time. We made a difference. I’m forever grateful.”
McNaughton issued a statement on September 22, 2023 that he was leaving politics and resigning from his position as Minister of Labour and as MPP.
He said he was leaving politics for a job in the private sector.
In an email to his constituents on October 6, 2023, he thanked the residents for their support.
“I want to thank you, my constituents from all across our amazing riding, for all your support,” he wrote.
“Working together, we accomplished great things for our communities, and for our province. Under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, we have delivered generational change for southwestern Ontario. With hundreds of millions in investments, we brought a new hospital to Wallaceburg, and much-needed upgrades to the Strathroy and Four Counties hospitals, as well as new schools, roads, bridges, arenas, and community centres, and the significant expansion of broadband and natural gas all across our riding.”
McNaughton added: “As someone who believes in the power of meaningful work to change lives and strengthen communities, I celebrate the historic number of young people returning to purpose-driven careers in the skilled trades, and the partnerships our government built with private-sector unions to help make this happen. I am especially proud of the new training programs that are now available to give a hand up to those who have a minor criminal record and want a second chance at a career they can be proud of by building a stronger Ontario for all of us.”
McNaughton said he supports Premier Ford and is proud to have served in his cabinet.
“I am forever grateful for the opportunities he’s given me to contribute to this amazing province,” McNaughton wrote.
“I believe strongly in his team and its vision. I know they will continue to do great things for the people of this province. I want to thank my fantastic team, both at Queen’s Park and at home, in Strathroy and Wallaceburg, for all their incredible hard work and dedication. I’d also like to thank my colleagues at Queen’s Park, who are members of all political parties, all of whom are dedicated, passionate public servants, and outstanding people.”
McNaughton added: “Most of all, I’d like to thank the two loves of my life, my wife, Kate, and our daughter, Annie, for supporting me through thick and thin. My family has made many sacrifices, including hundreds of trips down Highway 401, to split their time between our riding and Toronto so that we could spend as much time together as possible. Thank you for the honour of serving as your Member of Provincial Parliament.”
Details about a by-election to fill McNaughton’s spot as MPP, have yet to be released by the Province.
