Phillips resigns as Ontario finance minister, apologizes after returning from Caribbean

Ontario’s finance minister has resigned following his return to Canada after a controversial Caribbean vacation.

Rod Phillips arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport Thursday morning, apologizing for what he called an “error in judgement.”

He said he planned to speak with the premier later in the day.

“Today, following my conversation with Rod Phillips, I have accepted his resignation as Ontario’s Minister of Finance,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement issued Thursday afternoon.

“At a time when the people of Ontario have sacrificed so much, today’s resignation is a demonstration that our government takes seriously our obligation to hold ourselves to a higher standard.”

Ford says Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who is President of the Treasury Board, will assume the role to and deliver the government’s 2021 budget.

Phillips has been in St. Barts since Dec. 13 and will quarantine for 14 days.

When arriving at Pearson, Phillips said he wanted to keep his job.

“Today I submitted my resignation as Ontario’s Minister of Finance. Travelling over the holidays was the wrong decision, and I once again offer my unreserved apology,” Phillips said in a statement.

“I look forward to focusing my efforts on continuing  to serve the people of Ajax as their Member of Provincial Parliament.”

Ford said Wednesday he wasn’t told about the trip ahead of time, but did learn about it shortly after it began, and should have demanded Phillips return immediately.