Premier Rodney MacDonald said Tuesday he would soon be stepping down as leader of the Progressive Conservatives.
MacDonald made the statement after the Premier’s Power of Positive Change Awards ceremony at Province House —likely his last public function as premier. MacDonald said it’s time of renewal for the Tories and an interim leader should be picked this summer.
“It’s time for change and I expect we’ll see a change in that regard,” MacDonald said. “You won’t see me sitting, as an example, you won’t see me sitting this fall as the leader of the party. I think it’ll be definitely necessary before that to make sure we have an interim leader in place.”
MacDonald didn’t give a specific timeline, but said he “had discussions already and should be able to say something within a relatively reasonable amount of time.”
He said he would continue to represent the riding of Inverness as long as the people elect him. MacDonald said he greatly enjoyed being premier, but does feel more relaxed now that the pressures of the job are off him.
