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McGuinty said he asked the party’s president to convene a leadership convention “at the earliest possible opportunity,” adding that he will continue to serve as premier until a new leader is elected.

McGuinty also announced he is proroguing Ontario’s legislature in order to negotiate wage freezes with the province’s labour partners.

He said he intends to reach out to the opposition to negotiate their support, saying there was little hope of getting the wage freeze the minority government needs to trim the $14.4-billion deficit because the opposition parties are opposed.

“To this end, I met with the Lieutenant Governor earlier today and asked that we prorogue the House so that we can pursue both discussions, both tracks, in a way that is free of the heightened rancour that has sadly too frequently characterized our legislature of late,” McGuinty said.

“So, when the House returns, we’re either going to have negotiated agreements in hand or a legislative plan supported by the opposition.”

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McGuinty called his caucus “the most talented, hardworking and dedicated group of people” he’s ever worked with.

First elected to the Ontario legislature in 1990, McGuinty became leader of the Liberal party in 1996. He is Ontario’s 24th premier.

National Post, with files from The Canadian Press



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