Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty steps down

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty made a surprise announcement Monday evening at Queen's Park that he was stepping down after nine years as the Canadian province's leader.

McGuinty made the announcement during a surprise caucus meeting Monday. He will remain in his position until a leadership convention is held. CTV News reports: “After 16 years as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, and after nine years as premier, it’s time for renewal. It’s time for the next Liberal premier, it’s time for the next set of Liberal ideas to guide our province forward,” McGuinty said, as his wife Terri looked on from the front row. McGuinty has been the leader of Ontario's Liberal Party for 16 years. McGuinty asked Lieut.-Gov. David Onley to prorogue the Legislature earlier in the day. He said that this move is needed to be able to negotiate a wage-freeze from the public-sector workers in Ontario to eliminate Ontario's deficit. This is a breaking story. If more information becomes available it will be updated.