One of the Ontario government's key Cabinet Ministers is stepping down.
Provincial Minister of Education Todd Smith posted his resignation from politics on social media this morning adding that he has accepted a job in the private sector.
Smith served as MPP for Bay of Quinte and Prince Edward-Hastings for almost 13 years and was part of Premier Doug Ford's Cabinet for six years.
Smith spent the most time as Minister of Energy, but also served as the Economic Development Minister, Minister of Children, Community and Social services, and Minister of Government and Consumer Services. He was also the Government House Leader between June 2018 and June 2019.
In response to Smith's resignation, Ford thanked him for his service in the government saying "he leaves politics with a record that he can be incredibly proud of."
Ford shuffled his cabinet hours later to fill the vacated position. MPP for Simcoe North Jill Dunlop was moved from the Colleges and Universities portfolio to become the new education minister.
Nolan Quinn will take over Dunlop's former position and become the minister of Colleges and Universities.
The premier also announced that Kevin Holland and Graham McGregor will join his cabinet as the new Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products and Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, respectively.