Q+A: Departed Queen’s Park veteran Monte McNaughton on what’s next

After 12 years in office, the last five as a cabinet minister, Monte McNaughton bowed out Friday as the PC MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, a sprawling rural riding almost as large as Prince Edward Island. We caught up with the former labor minister, who resigned from cabinet last month and, now, as a legislator, to go back to the private sector.

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Q By law, a byelection must be called within six months. When do you expect one? Heard any rumblings?

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HAS It’s obviously up to the first to call that byelection. I will proudly campaign for the local Conservative candidate and the first. It’s really important for our riding to have a seat at the government table.

Q Twelve years, and then onto the next chapter. Has it sunk in yet?

HAS It’s certainly been an emotional number of days. In fact, today I just took all of my Wallaceburg and Strathroy staff out for lunch to say thanks. Many. . . have been with me since the beginning. I want to say it has been the honor of a lifetime.

Q Given that some people have mentioned it, the close timing of the Greenbelt controversy (which costs the Ford government a housing minister) and your departure, this had nothing to do with it?

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HAS It’s nothing related to current events. I ran in three municipal elections back home in Newbury. Ran in five provincial campaigns, going back to 2007. My family and I discussed this through the summer. I’m really proud of what we accomplished, but I’m also excited about the next chapter.

Q What would consider your biggest win in office?

HAS I’m really proud that we’ve been able to build a new voter coalition in the province. We (the PCs) were endorsed by eight private-sector unions in the last election. . . We’ve had more people enrolled in skilled trades, apprenticeships in the last year than ever before in provincial history.

Q Disappointments, or things left undone?

HAS I’ve really focused on listening to constituents and championing their concerns at Queen’s Park. . . We got everything done that we wanted to get done. There’s still more work to do, of course.

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Q Can you say what’s next for you in the private sector?

HAS I will be starting a new job in the not-too-distant future and I look forward to having more to say in the days ahead.

Q What’s the latest with the business your family had?

HAS I grew up in our family business, the Home Hardware store in Newbury. We sold it about six years ago. . . It’s still going strong. My brother still works there. And it’s still contributing to the Newbury and area community.

I really want to pay tribute to my wife, Kate, and my daughter, Annie. My daughter’s 10 years old. I’ve been the MPP for 12 years. I’m really excited to dedicate more time to my family. I was able to take my daughter to a cross-country meet for the first time. On the way home, it was just the two of us in our minivan. She said, ‘Daddy, I’m so grateful that you were able to take me.’

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Q You ran for the PC leadership a number of years back. Did that help you in your political career? Or hinder you?

HAS I believe everything happens for a reason and during that leadership campaign I formed a close relationship with Rob Ford. Rob was a big supporter of mine in that (2014-15) leadership. I really got to know Rob and Doug, and their family. . . I traveled the province, met a lot of people, heard a lot of different ideas.

Q You became involved in politics at a relatively young age. When your daughter is grown, do you see a return to politics provincially? Or perhaps at the federal level?

HAS I’m making a decision to go to the private sector now. I’m ready to move on. . . I don’t see a future or a pathway back to politics. I’ve served the riding and the people here, and I’m excited for the next opportunity.

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