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His unexpected departure led a blindsided Ford to elevate Dunlop, 49, whose successor at the post-secondary education department is Nolan Quinn, 41, a first-term MPP who was associate minister of forestry.

Quinn’s replacement is rookie MPP Kevin Holland (Thunder Bay—Atikokan).

Also joining the ballooning cabinet is one-term Brampton North MPP Graham McGregor, 31, the newly created associate minister for auto theft and bail reform under Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

Combating car theft rings — in part by encouraging Ottawa to strengthen bail provisions — has been a Ford crusade.

But Friday’s retirement unravelled the strategy behind the premier’s June 6 cabinet revamp that moved 14 ministers and expanded the executive council to 36 members. There will now be a record 37 ministers.

“The life of a politician is hard and takes its toll, especially when I was away from home as often as I’ve been over the past 13 years,” said Smith, who recently returned from a trip to Joshua Tree park near Palm Springs in the California desert with his wife, Tawnya, a vice-principal.

“To my constituents in Bay of Quinte and Prince-Edward-Hastings, thank you for your trust and support — which I am proud to say has grown significantly in each of the last four Ontario elections,” he said in a statement.

“I have made the very difficult decision to leave politics and accept a position in the private sector.”

Contacted by the Star, the affable Smith, who is well-regarded on both sides of the house, said he would let his prepared statement stand, but emphasized there were no hard feelings with Ford.

“Love the premier and the team. Not a negative thing to say! It’s been a great ride and the honour of a lifetime,” he said.

Ford said he wished Smith well.

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Todd for his many years of service to our government, our province and our party,” the premier said in a statement.

“He leaves politics with a record that he can be incredibly proud of, including and especially fixing the previous government’s energy policies and bringing electricity prices down for hardworking families and businesses,” he said.

“Todd will always be a friend and I can’t wait to watch his every success as he starts this next chapter of his life.”

The former radio broadcaster has been a strong performer in the legislature’s question period and a top cabinet minister since the Tories were elected in 2018, serving in economic development, consumer services, community and social services, and as house leader before becoming energy minister in 2021.

A source told the Star that Smith — who thrived at the energy ministry and had served as shadow energy minister in opposition — was displeased when Ford swapped him for Stephen Lecce in a June 6 cabinet shuffle.

Lecce had been education minister for five years, the longest tenure at that post since Bette Stephenson four decades ago.

“No Conservative would be happy being minister of education,” said a Tory, who had previously predicted Smith would step away.

“I told you so,” the insider, who spoke confidentially in order to discuss internal machinations, said moments after the MPP announced his resignation around 11 a.m. Friday.

The source said the fractious relations between Queen’s Park and teachers’ unions are especially tough on Tory education ministers.

Underscoring that, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario said of Smith’s exit, “Well, at least we now clearly know where his priorities were.”

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation president Karen Littlewood also threw some shade.

“Sadly, another loss to privatization from the public education sector,” said Littlewood.

Another senior Tory confided that Smith “wasn’t happy about being moved” from energy, an area where he had a lot of expertise.

At the time of the June shuffle, he was in Europe promoting Ontario’s nuclear sector.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Smith was “throwing in the towel and heading to the private sector” just before schools reopen.

“Families deserve a government that will invest in schools, reduce class sizes and put students first. Instead it’s more chaos and uncertainty from a government that always treats kids as an afterthought,” said Stiles.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie blasted the Tories.

“After six years of Doug Ford, our schools are overcrowded, and Ontario’s economic growth is falling behind our rivals,” said Crombie.

“We don’t need a new education minister — we need a new government focused on giving more to children, educators, and families, not even more to Ford’s rich friends.”

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said it was “yet another blow to a government fraught with scandal.”

“How many cabinet ministers will have to resign before the premier gets his head out of the sand, takes accountability, and starts delivering for ordinary people, not wealthy insiders?” said Schreiner.

Smith took his leave as Tories and supporters of the premier were set to gather Friday night in Milton for the annual Ford Fest picnic, which was the target of protests organized by education and public sector unions.

Ford has been ruminating about calling an early election next spring, a year before the scheduled June 2026 vote.