It's official, Klees will not be the next Speaker at Queen's Park

Today, MPP Frank Klees formally announced that he had withdrawn from the race, but not after stirring up whirlwind of negative media attention for PC Leader Tim Hudak. I will not be pursuing the position of Speaker, and am looking forward to playing a meaningful role in the PC Caucus and the Ontario PC Party.

PHOTO CREDIT - Ottawa Citizen

Cornwall - Oct. 28, 2011 - It has been a crazy and bizarre week at Queen's Park. There was a great deal of speculation that Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees would seek the Speaker's job in the Legislature.

On October 6th, Dalton McGuinty won a minority government with 53 seats out of 107 total ridings. Had a PC or NDP member been elected speaker it would have created the possibility for some interesting votes, as both the government and the combined opposition would have 53 votes.

Today, Klees formally announced that he had withdrawn from the race, but not after stirring up whirlwind of negative media attention for PC Leader Tim Hudak.

"I am announcing that I will not be pursuing the position of Speaker, and am looking forward to playing a meaningful role in the PC Caucus and the Ontario PC Party. PC Party Leader Tim Hudak will be announcing what my portfolio responsibilities will be later today," said Klees in a statement.