Robert Mitchell, who served as health minister and environment minister under the Liberal government of Wade MacLauchlan, has resigned.
Mitchell announced he was resigning via Facebook and Twitter on Thursday afternoon.
"This is effective the moment I hit send," Mitchell told The Guardian.
Today I made the decision to step down as MLA for the district of https://t.co/ptQiQtWzMO has been both an honor and a privilege to be the provincial government representative for this district and the previous district of Charlottetown-Sherwood for the past 13 plus years.
— Robert Mitchell (@RobMitchellMLA) September 3, 2020
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Mitchell said he informed both interim party leader Sonny Gallant and members of his district electoral association of his decision the same day.
"I'm following my heart on this. It's telling me 13-plus years – it's time to look at something different. It's time to spend more time with your family," Mitchell said.
"I want to give the district time to figure this out and who would be a good person to replace me."
Mitchell had been expected by some to seek the permanent leadership of the Liberal party, after resigning as interim leader in September 2019.
On Thursday, Mitchell said a leadership run is no longer in his sights.
"I've come to the decision that that's not for me. And I want to put that to bed, too," Mitchell said.
"Timing is everything in politics, and I don't think the timing is right for Robert Mitchell to stand as a person for leadership.”
Mitchell added he did not have a concrete plan in terms of his future career but said he may return to work in the private sector. He had previously worked with Maritime Electric and was a member of the P.E.I. Real Estate Association prior to entering politics.
Mitchell has had a 13-year career as an MLA.
He first stepped into politics as the Liberal candidate in Sherwood-Hillsborough in 2003. He lost to Elmer MacFadyen of the Progressive Conservatives in that election. He ran again in 2007, besting then-Tory Health Minister Chester Gillan in Charlottetown-Sherwood.
Mitchell publicly considered running for leadership of the Liberal party in 2014 but decided against it. Wade MacLauchlan later became leader of the party.
In government, Mitchell served as minister of communities, land and environment from 2015 to 2018 and as minister of health from 2018 to 2019.
Mitchell said he was proud of his work in these departments. He noted the early stages of work on the Water Act began under his tenure, as did the revamping of the Municipal Government Act. During his time as health minister, plans for the completion of the new mental health campus at the Hillsborough Hospital were announced.
“Those are high points for me. But there’s a lot of other high points just in relationships built, too,” he said.
He served as the interim leader of the Liberal party after the resignation of MacLauchlan following the party’s tumble to third party status in the 2019 election.
Gallant, who was first elected the same year as Mitchell, said Mitchell is widely regarded as a constituency politician, closely connected to his community.
“He certainly represented his district well,” Gallant said. “It’s been a pleasure working with him. We’re gonna miss him.”
Under the Elections Act, voters in Charlottetown-Winsloe can expect a by-election to be called within six months.
In an emailed statement, P.E.I. Premier Dennis King also thanked Mitchell for his lengthy time in office.
“We have worked collaboratively on projects related to our neighbouring communities for the betterment of local residents over the last 16 months,” King said.
“I'd like to wish Robert and Bonnie all the best in the future and know that his family will look forward to having more time with him, especially his grandchildren."
