Close X
Sunday, January 12, 2025
ADVT 
National

Christine Elliott Resigns As Mpp For Whitby-oshawa After Losing Leadership Race

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Aug, 2015 11:05 AM
    TORONTO — Christine Elliot, the deputy leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, resigned as a member of the provincial legislature Friday, three months after losing her second bid for the party's top job.
     
    The MPP for Whitby-Oshawa, who has not been seen around the legislature since losing the leadership race to former Barrie MP Patrick Brown last May, said in a brief statement that her decision to step down was not easy.
     
    "While I put my name forward to lead our party, party members made a different choice," she said. "I fully respect our members' decision, and I wish my colleagues and the party every success in the future."
     
    Elliot said her resignation was effective immediately.
     
    Brown quickly put out a statement thanking Elliott for her public service.
     
    "Christine has been a tireless advocate for her constituents and Ontario, and an esteemed member of our caucus," he said. "We appreciate her well wishes and in turn wish her the best as she embarks on this next chapter of her life."
     
    Elliott is the widow of former finance minister Jim Flaherty, who represented the same riding federally, and who also lost two different bids to become Ontario's Progressive Conservative leader.
     
    The mother of triplet boys, now in their mid-20s, entered politics when she won a seat in Whitby, east of Toronto, in a 2006 byelection, replacing her husband after he moved to federal politics.
     
    She placed third in the PC's 2009 leadership contest, which was won by Tim Hudak, who resigned shortly after last year's election loss to the Liberals.
     
    Hudak's resignation triggered a lengthy leadership contest that ended up as a head-to-head showdown between Elliott, the establishment candidate supported by most of the PC caucus and party heavyweights like former premier Bill Davis, and Brown, a young federal backbencher with virtually no provincial profile.
     
    She was openly critical of the once mighty Progressive Conservatives during her leadership campaign, saying the party had become a "toxic brand," especially with young people and women.
     
    Like Brown, Elliott vowed to rebuild the party from the ground up, but in the end Tory members went with a fresh face who had helped the federal Conservatives make big inroads with many ethnic communities in the vote-rich suburbs around Toronto.
     
    Elliott, who had also served as the Tory health critic, said she would stay active in her community helping people with disabilities.
     
    "I entered public life in 2006 to advocate for the rights of vulnerable people and their families," she said. "Although my role will change, I remain committed to advocating for a fully inclusive Ontario where all people can live lives of purpose and dignity."
     
    Elliott grew up in Whitby and graduated from the University of Western Ontario, where she also got her law degree, and later co-founded her law firm with Flaherty.
     
    Premier Kathleen Wynne will have six months to call a byelection to replace Elliott.
     
    Brown, meanwhile, is running in a byelection next Thursday in Simcoe North in an attempt to get a seat in the Ontario legislature after resigning as the MP for the neighbouring riding of Barrie when he became party leader.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Iringa, Former Toronto Zoo Elephant, Dies In California Sanctuary

    Iringa, Former Toronto Zoo Elephant, Dies In California Sanctuary
    The Performing Animals Welfare Society sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif., said the 46-year-old Iringa was humanely euthanized Wednesday following a history of degenerative joint and foot disease.

    Iringa, Former Toronto Zoo Elephant, Dies In California Sanctuary

    Challenge To Nuclear Waste Bunker Near Lake Huron On Hold Until New Year

    TORONTO — A court challenge to the preliminary approval of a plan to bury dangerous nuclear waste near Lake Huron has been put on hold now until next year — well after the next federal election.

    Challenge To Nuclear Waste Bunker Near Lake Huron On Hold Until New Year

    Winnipeg Man Accused Of Mailing Bomb That Injured Lawyer Faces New Charges

    Winnipeg Man Accused Of Mailing Bomb That Injured Lawyer Faces New Charges
    WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg man who was charged with two counts of attempted murder after a lawyer was severely hurt by an explosion and for a second bomb now faces new charges over a third bomb.

    Winnipeg Man Accused Of Mailing Bomb That Injured Lawyer Faces New Charges

    Ex-Activist Sued By Company Over Opposition To Wind Farm Despite Giving Up Fight

    Ex-Activist Sued By Company Over Opposition To Wind Farm Despite Giving Up Fight
    Esther Wrightman says NextEra Energy Canada has made no move to withdraw the defamation suit they first filed against her in May 2013.

    Ex-Activist Sued By Company Over Opposition To Wind Farm Despite Giving Up Fight

    High Court Sides With Bombardier In Discrimination Case Involving U.S. Officials

    High Court Sides With Bombardier In Discrimination Case Involving U.S. Officials
    OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an appeal from a Canadian pilot who claimed he was discriminated against by Bombardier Inc., based on his race.

    High Court Sides With Bombardier In Discrimination Case Involving U.S. Officials

    Liberal MP urges Harper government to reveal its updated budgetary forecast

    Liberal MP urges Harper government to reveal its updated budgetary forecast
    OTTAWA — The Liberal party is calling on the federal government to share its latest budgetary projections with the public after a new analysis revealed the country is on course for a deficit in 2015-16.

    Liberal MP urges Harper government to reveal its updated budgetary forecast