The long-whispered rumors have become a reality as provincial Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman has officially stepped out of the cabinet chair to run for mayor of Toronto in 2010.
The co-chair of the Northern Growth Plan will continue to serve as MPP for his riding of Toronto Centre for a time.
Smitherman served in the provincial legislature since first being elected in 1999, and championed various initiatives such as the Green Energy Act.
All signs indicate that he will square off against his former provincial rival, one-time Progressive Conservative party leader John Tory, for the mayor's spot.
Scarborough-Agincourt MPP Gerry Phillips has been named to replace him in the ministry portfolio.
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