Premier

Wynnes statement on Deb Matthews

Friday October 6, 2017

Premier Kathleen Wynne issued the following statement today
thanking Deb Matthews for her service to the people of Ontario:

Deb is one of the most compassionate people I know. She is and
has always been in politics for all the right reasons. Deb believes, to
her core, in the ability of government to be a force for good. And
she proves that to be true each and every day.

The people of London North Centre have been fortunate to have
Deb as their fiercest advocate for nearly 15 years. And she has
channeled her energy, empathy and intellect into serving people
right across Ontario, particularly during her time as Minister of
Children and Youth Services, Minister of Health and, most recently,
as Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

Deb has always believed in the potential people have to overcome
barriers and achieve great things. She was instrumental in
advocating for and designing the new OSAP in Ontario because she
believed that a students decision about attending college or
university ought to be based on their dreams, not how much their
parents earn. And this September, 210,000 students are receiving
free tuition and many more will graduate with less debt. Imagine
the potential we are unleashing by opening the door to higher
education to so many students who may otherwise never have
continued their studies.

Deb and I were both elected to office in 2003. We connected
immediately over our shared mission to create opportunities for
people to thrive and give a voice to those who are too often
underrepresented and overlooked. We have worked in lockstep
ever since, which is why Deb has also been my Deputy Premier
from day one.

She shares my vision of a fairer, more progressive, more inclusive
Ontario and she knows what it will take to make that happen.
Because of that, I have relied on Deb as a touchstone time and time
again. She is smart and analytical, always thinking things through by
focusing on the people who will be most affected. In trying to make
government a true force for good and agent for positive change, we
regularly grapple with tough issues and hard decisions and I always
want to know what Deb thinks.

Thats why I feel privileged to have had her by my side all these
years and Im thrilled that Deb will be staying on as an MPP and
also continuing her work as campaign co-chair through the 2018
election. We are extremely pleased to have her in that role.

Very quickly after we met, Deb and I became close friends. She has
always, always supported me, which is why I completely
understand, appreciate and support her decision to retire as an
MPP at this time. Anyone who knows Deb knows how much she
loves babies and so Im very happy to know that she will have more
time to spend with her five grandchildren and her entire family.

I thank Deb for the enormous contribution she has made during her
time in government and for being part of the progress thats
continuing to happen in Ontario. Deb believes, as I do, that a fairer,
better Ontario is possible. I have no doubt that motivation
combined with Debs passion for her community will lead to more
great things and I wish her every success in the future.