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MPP backs Cimino's decision to put family, health first

The public's right to know why a politician has stepped down ends when it comes to serious personal health and family issues, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas said Friday.
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Sudbury MPP Joe Cimino is seen with Party Leader Andrea Horwath in this photo from January. Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas said Friday she knows more details than has been made public about why Joe Cimino decided to resign Nov. 20, and she backs his decision “100 per cent.” File photo.
The public's right to know why a politician has stepped down ends when it comes to serious personal health and family issues, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas said Friday.

Gélinas was referring to the shocking decision by Sudbury MPP Joe Cimino to resign Nov. 20, five months after he was elected. He has refused to speak publicly about why he quit, making the announcement in a news release and declaring he had no further comment.

“At the end of the day, people respect that you are allowed a private life,” Gélinas said. “Joe has made it clear his decision is based on health and family issues. This has nothing to do with politics and it has nothing to do with the public. It's something that is private.”

Cimino quit via a news release in which he said he would have no further comment on the issue and asked for privacy.

"I have been asked several times in the past how I was able to balance my public obligations as a city councilor with my family life,” the release said. “Even though it was difficult to do, I was able to be there for my young children, wife and extended family while still serving my community with complete dedication.

"Unfortunately, the pendulum has swung too far to one side in the last several months. Simply, for my personal health wellness, and more importantly the well being of my family I must resign my seat in the provincial legislature.”

Gélinas appeared Friday with Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha, who will combine forces to ensure Sudburians still have access to provincial services, as well as representation in the Ontario Legislature. While he was as surprised as anyone by his resignation, as a husband and a father of two sons, Mantha said he can relate to Cimino's decision.

However, being the father of two boys and a husband, you understand the other aspect of it that the public doesn't see of a politician's life.”

“I know I've felt my pressures with my family life and I've made my commitments to being a little bit more present,” he said. “But Joe had his reasons and I respect those reasons. That's something the public doesn't see, the difficulties in how you can mix your political life and your family life. And I totally understand the reasons (for the decision) Joe took.”

He also defended Cimino's decision not to resign in person, or provide more detail about why he was stepping down. Everyone has a right to privacy when it comes to family and personal health issues, Mantha said.

“I don't think it's a matter of a right for us to know, it's a matter of respecting his wishes,” he said. “The real question there is, does the public respect the choice of an individual to request his privacy? And he's made a very difficult decision. This does not come easy for him. And I think that's the essential question: do we respect the decisions this gentleman has made on behalf of himself, his health and his family?”

Both MPPs said they don't expect a public backlash to result from voters having to head back to the polls again so quickly. The recruitment process for a new candidate has already begun, Gélinas said, with the party reaching out to a diversity of people to encourage them to run, including First Nations, women and francophones.

“This work is happening right now,” she said. “Phone calls are taking place. Lunch and coffees are happening … There have been a large number of people stepping forward and they are presently going through the selection process.”

“The NDP family is very strong in Sudbury,” Mantha added. “I'm looking forward to working with them … People are out there (already) selling memberships. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work. We've done it once, we're going to do it again. And I look forward to working with a new colleague here in Sudbury at Queen's Park.”

Gélinas said she's in a bit of an awkward position, because she knows more details about why Cimino stepped down than has been made public. So she has no issues with the way he handled it, and said Cimino's wife and children has to come first in his life.

“Those kids don't owe the public anything,” she said. “ If I had been under the same circumstances as he (is) I would have done the same thing.

“I come from the health-care system. I respect people's wishes to keep their health concerns to themselves. And I will be behind this 100 per cent.”

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Darren MacDonald

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