If timing is everything, Sorbara got it right
Editorial

Like so many people in Ontario, we were surprised at Friday's announcement that Greg Sorbara did not wish to remain in Premier Dalton McGuinty's cabinet.

In the midst of all the reaction, there were a couple of people making comments about the timing of the announcement. Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory was one of them, being quoted as saying he wished Sorbara had made his wishes known before the election three weeks ago.

We are inclined more to the line of thinking of Julia Munro. The newly elected MPP for York - Simcoe made a couple of good points when commenting on the announcement.

For one thing, she said a pre-election announcement might have been viewed as presumptuous. There is merit to that, since such an announcement would have presupposed (A) Sorbara would be elected, (B) McGuinty would form the government and (C) Sorbara would be asked to sit at the cabinet table. Granted, all three of those scenarios were pretty safe bets, if not sure things. But it seldom pays to get too cocky in politics.

Another point Munro made was it's unlikely many people would have changed their votes, had they known Sorbara was not going to be in cabinet.

As well, we agree there had to be some statement from Sorbara before the cabinet was unveiled. Had McGuinty just introduced his team of ministers without Sorbara, he'd have found himself fielding speculative questions for months.

We also respect the reasons Sorbara gave for his departure from cabinet. He spent the better part of four years in a job filled with both high profile and pressure, and now he wants to devote more time to his family. It's hard to argue with that.

Sorbara represented much of King Township at Queen's Park since the unexpected and untimely death of Al Palladini in 2001. During that time, he has been accessible and accountable to his constituents, and reachable for the local media. His performance, both as an MPP and cabinet minister, has passed numerous tests. Voters in Vaughan, three weeks ago, told him he had done a good job as a representative, and voters in the province indicated at the same time that they approve of the way things are being managed, including financially.

From Sorbara's point of view, we agree his announcement was well timed, and he has the satisfaction of a job well done.