Public gay George Smitherman resigns to run for Toronto mayor

Ontario Premier McGuinty has accepted the resignation of George Smitherman, who is noticeable for being a public gay, from office to compete for mayor of Toronto, the Office of the Premier said Monday.

"Today my colleague George Smitherman informed me he would be resigning his posts as Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy and Infrastructure in order to run for the Mayoralty of Toronto," said McGuinty.

McGuinty has been very positive about Smitherman's work in the government. "He has worked tirelessly to turn our economic stimulus plan into construction jobs for Ontario workers in every part of our province," he said.

"I'm proud to have served with George, and prouder still to call him my good friend," McGuinty said.

The openly gay Smitherman is regarded as a political attack dogand raised his municipal profile by leading a cleanup of city streets during the city workers' strike this summer.

Source: Xinhua