Dalton McGuinty’s official portrait unveiled at Ontario legislature

Premier Kathleen Wynne praised her predecessor Dalton McGuinty for having the foresight to end coal-fired electricity generation, for introducing full-day kindergarten and boosting the high school graduation rate, and for always keeping his eye on the road ahead.

“I see a health care system on a sustainable footing, able to adapt to our changing needs, and I see a diverse, resilient economy capable of weathering the toughest storms,” Wynne told the Liberal-dominated crowd who gathered for the unveiling of the official portrait of former premier Dalton McGuinty at the Ontario legislature.

“I see a province leading in the global fight against climate change because of this man, Dalton McGuinty’s determination to shut down our coal-fired power plants and kick start our renewables sector.”

McGuinty, who has maintained a low public profile since resigning in Oct. 2012 in the middle of a scandal over his government’s decision to cancel two gas plants at a cost of up to $1.1 billion, also raised the coal plants in his speech.

“When Ontarians were the first in North America to shut down our coal plants, we led,” he said. “We’ve gone from 52 smog days in a year to none.” Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell said McGuinty decided to “heed the call and follow in his father’s footsteps” after Dalton McGuinty Sr. died in 1990 during his first term as the MPP for Ottawa South.