Ontario byelection on the horizon with MPPs resignation

An MPPs resignation in Niagara Falls, Ont., means that the governing Liberals have another byelection to plan for and theopposition parties have a chance to pick up a new seat.

Veteran Liberal MPP Kim Craitor announced Tuesday that he was retiring from the legislature.

While it is never a good time to leave, after ten very productive and rewarding years, now I need to put my health and family first, Craitor said in a statement.

Craitor, 67, said he was proud and honoured to have served as an MPP.

He thanked his constituents for their support, as well as the staff that had worked for him during his 10 years at the legislature. Craitor also thanked the premier and his party.

Wynne issued a statement thanking Craitor for his service. The premier said she wished him well.

With Craitors departure, the governing Liberals hold just 49 seats in the 107-seat legislature.

The Progressive Conservatives hold 37 seats and the New Democrats have 20 seats.

The Liberals recently lost three seats in a set of five byelections that were held on Aug. 1.

All five vacancies had been created by the exit of Liberal MPPs. The government held onto a seat in Ottawa and another in Toronto, while the Progressive Conservatives picked up a seat in Toronto and the New Democrats gained seats in London, Ont., and in Windsor, Ont.