BREAKING: MPP Ted Arnott not seeking re-election in Wellington-Halton Hills

It's the end of an era politically in Wellington-Halton Hills.

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 15), long-time MPP Ted Arnott announced he won't be seeking re-election in the riding when the next provincial election is called. Here's what he wrote:

The people who live in the County of Wellington, the Region of Waterloo, and the Region of Halton have built and sustained extraordinary, vibrant, and caring communities.

For the past 34 years as our riding boundaries evolved, it has been my incredible privilege to represent people in Wellington, Waterloo, and Halton in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. I have always sought to make a positive difference at Queen's Park and be worthy and deserving of my constituents' trust.

To everything, there is a season...

The time has come for me to consider whether I will run in the next provincial election, whenever it comes. After many conversations with my family in recent weeks, I have decided that I will not be a candidate in the provincial riding of Wellington-Halton Hills when that election is called.

In the meantime, I will continue to serve Wellington-Halton Hills to the very best of my ability and continue fulfilling my non-partisan responsibilities as Speaker of Ontario's provincial parliament in Toronto.

The love (and infinite patience) of my wife Lisa and our family has made my tenure in the Legislature possible.

I also want to express my sincere thanks to the very special people who have been my staff colleagues through the years. They have worked with dedication to support me, help me voice the concerns of our constituents, and assume whatever role I have been assigned in the Assembly.

Literally hundreds of people have volunteered to help in my nine election campaigns, giving freely of their time and talents to help me return to Queen's Park time and again. They have my eternal appreciation.

I have had the chance to work with many dedicated and passionate Members of Provincial Parliament on both sides of the House, some of whom became close friends. I want to thank them for the work all MPPs do to collectively provide for the leadership of the Province.

And finally, to all my constituents, those who supported me (as well as those who didn't), thank you for your encouragement, your feedback and your advice. No MPP does their job in isolation. It is only through ongoing interaction and communication with individual residents, local municipal councils, and community organizations that MPPs can give our ridings the representation they deserve.

I look forward to the months ahead, and there will be many opportunities to say goodbye. At the same time, I look forward to the promise of the future that together we will continue to build.