As expected, Toronto Mayoral candidate Mitzie Hunter has officially resigned as MPP in the Ontario legislature which she’s required to do before nominations close on Friday.

 

After 10 years of serving Scarborough-Guildwood, Hunter says this is a crucial moment for the city she loves.

“And I look forward to many more opportunities in the future to put initiatives in the public interest before council for their endorsement,” said Hunter in the legislature. “All I want to say to all of you, is thank you, stay tuned, the best is yet to come.”

Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser thanked Hunter and joked about the Liberals dwindling numbers at Queens Park.

“We were elected on the same day together, it is a hard day for us, and I just want to say thanks Mitzie, hey, there’s not a lot of us so when one goes, it’s a big deal.”

During her farewell speech at Queen’s Park, Hunter spoke about her successes over the decade including as Minister of Education.

There are now almost 80 people running to become Toronto’s next Mayor.

Here’s the full text of Mitzie Hunter’s Twitter post.

“After 10 years of serving Scarborough-Guildwood as MPP, I’m announcing my resignation with both a heavy heart and a sense of hope and optimism as I move into a different kind of campaign — running to be mayor of Toronto at a crucial moment for the city I love.

The strong relationship I have built with the SG community is what’s driving me to build a Toronto that works for everyone, everywhere. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served my constituents and the province, worked with wonderful colleagues with the unwavering support from family and friends.

I look forward to continuing to work hard for our city, dealing with the critical issues of today while preparing Toronto for tomorrow.”