Liberal cabinet minister Laurel Broten quits

Ontario Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Laurel Broten has announced her resignation from provincial politics, the fourth senior Liberal to quit the legislature this year.

Broten says she advised Premier Kathleen Wynne that she will step down as the member for Etobicoke-Lakeshore after nearly 10 years effective July 2.

In a statement, Broten a lawyer called it a very difficult decision, but said it was time to look forward to the next chapter in her career.

She said her family is planning a big change and will be relocating to Halifax this fall.

Broten held a number of cabinet posts under Dalton McGuinty, including education during the bitter battle with teachers over legislation that imposed a contract that froze wages for many educators.

Wynne has six months to call a byelection in Broten's Toronto riding, but must call byelections in Windsor-Tecumseh and London-West by Aug. 15.

The premier also said she would call a byelection for Ottawa South to replace former premier Dalton McGuinty at the same time as she calls the Windsor and London votes to replace former cabinet ministers Dwight Duncan and Chris Bentley.