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Dec 31, 2020 4:37 PM -

Ontario's finance minister Rod Phillips has resigned after going on a Caribbean vacation during the pandemic

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Ontario's finance minister has resigned from his cabinet position after going on a Caribbean vacation during the pandemic. (Photo - Rod Phillips/Twitter)

Ontario's finance minister has resigned from his cabinet position after going on a Caribbean vacation during the pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford says he has accepted Rod Phillips's resignation as minister.

Phillips returned to Ontario this morning after spending more than two weeks in St. Barts despite provincial guidelines urging people to avoid non-essential travel.

Ford says he has asked Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy to assume the role of minister of finance and deliver the government's 2021 budget.

Earlier today Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips had returned from his Caribbean vacation, which he took despite the province's COVID-19 guidelines urging residents to avoid non-essential travel.

Phillips had said he would like to remain in the provincial cabinet, but he will respect Premier Doug Ford's decision.

Rod Phillips arrived at Pearson International Airport this morning after vacationing in St. Barts.

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