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WILLIAMSTOWN – Jim McDonell, a familiar face in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and the local member of provincial parliament is retiring.

He made the announcement on Tues., Nov. 23.

McDonell has been an MPP since 2011. Before being elected to the Ontario legislature, McDonell was elected to municipal council in 1994 and served as Mayor of South Glengarry (2003-2011) and as Warden of the United Counties of Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (2006).

His official retirement date has been set for June 1, 2022.

In a recent press release he stated, “I have truly enjoyed serving as our community’s MPP for the past decade, and I have been blessed by a wonderful family, especially my wife Margie, and a group of colleagues who have supported me in my work.”

He added, “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish locally and across Ontario under the leadership of Doug Ford with a great team at Queen’s Park. However, the time has come to pass the torch and to enjoy the next chapter of my life closer to home.”

MPP McDonell received a majority of votes in each of his elections. He has served in various capacities, including Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

“I am grateful to the residents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry who have shown their confidence in me for over a decade. It has been a challenging job, but certainly a rewarding one too,” he said.

“Rest assured though, I will still be very active to continue to improve our quality of life here at home in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.”