Eric Hoskins resigns as Health Minister, MPP SUN Updated: February 27, 2018 8:20 AM EST

The doctor is out.

Health Minister announced Monday that he is resigning, effective immediately.

“I am announcing my resignation as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care of and Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Paul’s,” he said in a statement. “It has been a profound privilege to represent the residents of St. Paul’s, a diverse and vibrant community in the heart of Toronto. I have tried my best to serve them well these past eight years.”

Hoskins is one of several high-profile Ontario Liberal cabinet ministers — including and — to step down prior to June’s election.

In his statement, Hoskins thanked Premier for her trust in him and the opportunities she offered.

“In leaving Queen’s Park, I am determined to continue building better health care for all Canadians. That path and journey will become clearer in the days ahead,” he said.

The MPP first came to office in a byelection in 2009 and was re-elected two more times. Hoskins backed Wynne in the 2013 Ontario Liberal leadership race.

The family doctor, along with his wife, Dr. , founded Canada to help children in war-torn regions of the world.

Wynne said in a statement that she was grateful for Hoskins’ work improving the province’s health-care system.

“Eric has always been one of the most vocal advocates for our universal health-care system and has played an active role in lowering surgical wait times across Ontario, increasing access to primary-care providers, including family doctors, expanding the availability of services for people with mental illnesses and building new hospitals in communities across the province,” she said.

“He has also been instrumental in making sure Ontario is leading the effort to expand our system with historic initiatives like OHIP+, which has made prescription drugs free for everyone under the age of 25.”

MPP , also a medical doctor, will assume the role of Minister of Health and Long Term Care, she said.

Michael Coteau, meanwhile, will take on the position of Minister of Community and Social Services in addition to his current role as Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Anti- Racism, Wynne said.