After 12 years in politics, Monte McNaughton is emerging from the Thanksgiving weekend as a private citizen.
Friday, October 6th marked the Newbury-native’s final day in office as MPP for Lambton-Kent Middlesex.
First elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2011, McNaughton issued a statement on September 22, 2023, saying he had accepted a job in the private sector.
During his tenure in both opposition and government, McNaughton has served in a number of roles focusing on citizenship, international trade, and economic affairs, most recently as Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
McNaughton says while leaving politics is bitter-sweet, he knows it’s what is best for his family.
“My family and I started talking about this through the summer,” McNaughton says. “I knew at some point that I would always go back to work outside of government.”
McNaughton says he’s proud of the work that’s been done during his tenure at Queen’s Park.
“One of the things I’m proudest of is that there’s going to be a brand new hospital in Wallaceburg. That’s something the community rallied behind. There’s a lot of great things we’ve done together over the last 12 years.”
While he’s excited to start this new chapter of his professional life, McNaughton has not yet revealed where he will be working next.
Listen to the full interview from XS Mornings with Tanner and Robyn: