CORNWALL, Ontario – In a statement to the media, Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP Jim McDonell has announced that he will not seek re-election to the provincial legislature in 2022.
“I have truly enjoyed serving as our community’s MPP for the past decade, and I have been blessed by a wonderful family, especially my wife Margie and a group of colleagues who have supported me in my work,” said MPP McDonell. “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish locally and across Ontario under the leadership of Doug Ford with a great team at Queen’s Park. However, the time has come to pass the torch and to enjoy the next chapter of my life closer to home,” said MPP McDonell.
A veteran of local politics, McDonell was first elected to South Glengarry Council in 2000, eventually becoming Mayor in 2003 and went on to be re-elected three times. During his time in municipal politics, McDonell also served as Warden of the United Counties of SD&G.
In 2011 McDonell was first elected to the provincial legislature as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party.
When his party took power in the 2018 election McDonell was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Municipal Affairs Steven Clark. In his first election McDonell received 50 per cent of the vote, in the 2018 election he improved his margin attaining 61 per cent of the vote.
“I am grateful to the residents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry who have shown their confidence in me for over a decade. It has been a challenging job, but certainly a rewarding one too,” said MPP McDonell. “Rest assured though, I will still be very active to continue to improve our quality of life here at home in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.
McDonell, 67, will officially retire on June 1, 2022.
