Canadian politician resigns after vacation travel during lockdown
A politician in Canada’s most populous province,
Ontario, resigned after taking a trip with his wife to St Barts while the
province was under lockdown.
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford said that he
accepted the resignation of Finance Minister Rod Phillip who has since
apologised for his actions.
Premier Ford, in commenting on Phillips’
departure, said the resignation showed that his government takes its obligation
to hold itself to a higher standard seriously.
Phillips, who was greeted by reporters on
arrival at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, described his trip as a
“dumb mistake” in his apology.
“Travelling over the holidays was the wrong
decision, and I once again offer my unreserved apology,” Phillips said in a
statement confirming his resignation.
Phillips, a member of the Progressive
Conservative Party, took a personal trip to St Barts on December 13 and
returned to Toronto on December 31.
