Nathalie Des Rosiers, Ottawa-area Liberal MPP, set to resign seat at Queen’s Park

Ottawa–Vanier MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers has announced she will resign her seat Queen’s Park to pursue an opportunity in academics.

The announcement comes just three days after Orleans MPP Marie-France Lalonde announced her intentions to run for Parliament to replace retired general Andrew Leslie in the Ottawa riding he’s vacating after just one term.

In a press release issued Thursday evening, Massey College announced Des Rosiers was elected to the position of principal. The school’s current principal, Hugh Segal, will retire on June 30.

ONTARIO ELECTION 2018: Ottawa-Vanier riding

“I am humbled and honoured to follow in the footsteps of the great Heads of College, who have led it over the years. Massey College is a jewel of the Canadian academic and intellectual scene and I am very excited to be part of its ongoing fabulous journey,” she said in the statement.

Des Rosier issued a statement thanking her constituents and said a resignation date hasn’t been determined.

An Ontario Liberal Party source not authorized to speak publicly told Global News Des Rosiers’ resignation will have an impact for the party.

“As Liberals we will be sad to see her leave but we know whatever she decides to do she will continue to help people in Ontario,” the source said.

“It’s a setback for Liberals to lose potentially two members. It’s disappointing in many ways and a blow to the party as a whole, but we will continue to work for Ontarians.”

Seven Liberal MPPs were elected to the Ontario legislature in the 2018 provincial election.

Des Rosiers, a former lawyer and past dean of the faculty of law (common law section) at the University of Ottawa, was elected as MPP during a byelection in 2016.