McGuinty rules out federal leadership
Dalton McGuinty announces he is stepping down as Premier of Ontario.
Credits: Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is hanging up his political hat.
His press secretary, Neala Barton, confirmed Tuesday that he will not seek the federal Liberal leadership.
McGuinty had left that possibility open after he announced his resignation just over a week ago.
His long-time staffers and supporters told the media a campaign team was in place should he decide to run.
McGuinty would have been seen as a significant challenger to MP Justin Trudeau.
The premier will be replaced as the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party at a Jan. 25 leadership convention.
PC MPP Jim Wilson called McGuinty's departure, especially his decision to prorogue the legislature, "cowardly" because he effectively halted further examination of his government's controversial decisions to cancel gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga, ON.
Wilson said he's surprised that McGuinty would even consider running at the national level.
"His legacy is one of the worst records in the history of the province," the Tory said. "Thank God he's not running federally."
