Contempt charges levelled by the Progressive Conservative party against Chris Bentley will not follow him into private life, the Tory energy critic said Friday after the London West MPP’s surprise resignation announcement.

The Conservatives have charged Bentley with contempt, saying as Energy Minister he didn’t release all documents pertaining to cancellation of new energy plants in Liberal ridings in Oakville and Mississauga before the last election.

Bentley announced Friday he is resigning his seat effective Feb. 14. That means his successor will face the charges, not Bentley, said Victor Fedeli, Tory MPP for Nipissing.

“We’re going ahead with the charges against the minister, not him personally,” he said. “It’s the position that is charged, not the individual.”

Bentley didn’t address the power plant issue specifically during his news conference Friday at the former Normal School, but he did talk about some of the challenges he faced in nearly a decade as an MPP and cabinet minister.

“There have been many challenging issues I have confronted over the past 9½ years, some in the last year,” he said.

“Not every day is as bright as you hope it will be . . . I have confronted challenges just as I confronted opportunities, with determination to find a resolution for those I serve.”

The provincial Liberals have put the cost of the cancelled plants at $230 million while Opposition members believe it may top $1 billion, Fedeli said.

The Conservative energy critic said he was surprised by Bentley’s sudden resignation, but believes he’s leaving because he was “thrown under the bus” by his party on the power plant issue.

Bentley was not Energy Minister when the projects were cancelled and may not have been aware of all the details, or the crisis looming, but remained loyal to his party throughout the attacks in the legislature, Fedeli said.

“You could say he was loyal to a fault. He’s a decent man” he said.

“You could tell in the legislature he had had enough. He was not the minister who caused the problem, but he was put out there to deflect it. This was not what he signed up for, not what a former attorney general wants to do.”

Bentley was named Energy Minister after the last election in 2011, and the power plant cancellation occurred before the election.

As Energy Minister, he also led the contentious push for wind turbine development in rural Ontario.

Bentley had announced he would not run for re-election but decided to leave office now as the election of a new leader and premier made this “a time of renewal,” he said.

“I am prepared to write the next chapter and it will have more time for (his wife) Wendy and our daughters. I have always been driven by my desire to make a difference . . . We accomplished a lot.”

It’s expected the premier-elect will call a byelection in the riding, but it’s not known when.

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CHRIS BENTLEY



Elected: Oct. 2, 2003 as London West MPP

Resigning: Feb. 14

Cabinet posts: labour, attorney general, aboriginal affairs and energy

Family: Wife Wendy; daughters Jocelyn, 25, and Julia, 28

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What They Said

“Public life is never easy and Mr. Bentley deserves our thanks for his service to his London constituents and the people of Ontario — as does his family.”

Andrea Horwath, Ontario NDP leader

“He has served extraordinarily well. He is brilliant, he is hard working, passionate and focused. We have been extremely well served by Chris. I will miss him a lot.”

Deb Matthews, Liberal MPP London North Centre and Health Minister

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Q&A with Chris Bentley

Q: Are there plans for after you leave office? Anything lined up?

Nothing specific. I have had a number of thoughts and discussions and interesting opportunities. One thing I want to do, and I want to be clear on this, is find a day and take it off.

Q: Are you leaning toward public or private life, or a return to law?

I will take some time and look around. I have always been active, always busy. I am sure I will be in the future.

Q: Why are you resigning now and not waiting until the end of your term in office?

I intended to do that, but this is time for renewal and that implies change. We have a premier-designate, a great caucus, a fabulous combination of the experienced like Deb (Matthews) with new ones not yet in cabinet. It is the right time for a lot of reasons.

Q: Are you concerned about premier-elect Kathleen Wynne’s election and leaving as a result of that?

No, she is strong, capable, determined but very open, kind and collegial. She brings people together. Even when she feels passionately about an issue, she understands the other side.

Q: Would you consider running for mayor?

I have said no to that many times. But I won’t speculate on anything else.

Q: Why choose the former Monsignor Feeney Centre, or Normal School, for your announcement?

It is a rather special place, the heart of the community I live in. I have been involved with it since the beginning, and wanted to protect it. It is a magnificent building. I am delighted the city of London has taken a good look at it.

norman.debono@sunmedia.ca