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Dalton McGuinty. Photo: Reuters

Third-term Ontario premier quits, saying it's time for renewal

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is resigning as head of Canada's most populous province just one year after winning a third term, saying it is time for a renewal in leadership.

The province, which accounts for about 40 per cent of Canada's economy, has been battling huge budget deficits and slow growth since its record shortfall of nearly C$25 billion (HK$198 billion) in 2009 during the global recession.

McGuinty will stay on as premier until his Liberal Party finds a successor.

He asked the provincial lieutenant governor to end the legislative session, which means work on all bills will come to an end.

"After 16 years as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and after nine years as premier, it's time for renewal, it's time for the next Liberal premier," McGuinty said.

Provincial opposition leaders slammed the decision to adjourn the legislature because of several big issues facing the province.

The include battles with the public sector over wage freezes and controversy over the cancellation of two natural gas-powered electricity plants.

"I don't understand his decision to suspend the legislature," Tim Hudak, leader of the opposition Conservatives, said.

McGuinty's departure could mean Ontario will be going to the polls as early as next spring, according to political analysts.

The premier was asked whether he would run in the race now under way for the leadership of the federal Liberal Party but said only: "I don't have any plans."

Dubbed by critics as the Teflon leader for his ability to escape crises, McGuinty became leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in 1996 and led his party to a majority government in 2003 and in 2007.

Last year his party managed only a minority government, meaning the government needs to broker deals with opposition parties to pass legislation.

Since winning re-election, McGuinty's Liberals have been dogged by scandals.

They include mismanagement of Ontario's air ambulance service and contempt charges against the energy minister for being slow to release documents related to the costly cancellations of the two gas-powered plants in the province.

Ontario has been struggling with a big deficit but announced on Monday it was cutting its shortfall faster than projected, crediting higher-than-expected growth and tax revenues.

In its budget this spring, the government vowed to rein in public sector labour costs, halt corporate tax cuts and increase taxes on the wealthiest income earners.

In its autumn economic statement, Ontario projected the 2012-13 deficit would be C$14.4 billion, down from the C$14.8 billion forecast in April.

The premier's resignation will be watched closely by the province's creditors as debt rating agencies raise scrutiny of the province's finances.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Third-term Ontario premier quits, saying it's time for renewal
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