Ontario MPP Rod Phillips is stepping down from his role as finance minister in the fallout from a Caribbean holiday that went against COVID-19 pandemic guidelines urging people to stay at home. News of his trip south, which broke earlier this week, provoked public outrage.
Phillips returned to Canada today after spending more than two weeks in St. Barts, which he admitted was a “dumb, dumb mistake.”
Premier Doug Ford says he’s accepted Phillips’ resignation, and has asked Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy to assume the finance portfolio and deliver the government’s 2021 Budget. Ford has admitted he knew about Phillips’ absence from the country.
Phillips will remain in the Ontario PC caucus and continue serving his Ajax riding.
