Longtime Wellington County MPP and current speaker of the house Ted Arnott will not be running in the next provincial election.
Arnott made the announcement Tuesday.
"The time has come for me to consider whether I will run in the next provincial election, whenever it comes. After many conversations with my family in recent weeks, I have decided that I will not be a candidate in the provincial riding of Wellington-Halton Hills when that election is called," the 61-year-old Fergus native said in a written statement sent to media.
"In the meantime, I will continue to serve Wellington-Halton Hills to the very best of my ability and continue fulfilling my non-partisan responsibilities as Speaker of Ontario’s provincial parliament in Toronto."
Arnott was first elected to the legislature in 1990, making him the longest serving member of the legislature.
In 2022 he captured 50 per cent of the vote in the riding, finishing with triple the votes of the runner-up.
"The people who live in the County of Wellington, the Region of Waterloo, and the Region of Halton have built and sustained extraordinary, vibrant, and caring communities. For the past 34 years as our riding boundaries evolved, it has been my incredible privilege to represent people in Wellington, Waterloo, and Halton in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. I have always sought to make a positive difference at Queen’s Park and be worthy and deserving of my constituents’ trust.
"To everything, there is a season..."
Arnott thanked his wife Lisa and his family as well as his staff and constituents.
"It is only through ongoing interaction and communication with individual residents, local municipal Councils, and community organizations that MPPs can give our ridings the representation they deserve.
"I look forward to the months ahead, and there will be many opportunities to say goodbye. At the same time, I look forward to the promise of the future that together we will continue to build."
No firm date has been set for the next provincial election.
