In a statement made Tuesday, Thibeault confirmed that he is "proud" to be running as the Ontario Liberal party candidate.
The statements reads:
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I am proud to announce that I will be running as the Ontario Liberal party candidate in the upcoming by-election in my community of Sudbury.
The need for this by-election was sudden and unexpected, and I have come to the decision to move to provincial politics after much reflection and discussion with those people close to me. Anyone who knows me, understands that I put representing this community first and foremost. It is something I have done with pride over the past six years. It is my belief that I can continue to do so from a different vantage point working as part of the Ontario Liberal Government.
I have spoken to Premier Kathleen Wynne about her plan to create greater opportunity and security for all Ontarians – and her plan is exactly what Sudbury needs. Investing in the talents of our people and building modern infrastructure will ensure good jobs for our community for decades. Supporting workers – whether it’s helping find a first job, or helping save for a secure retirement – is the kind of practical and valuable policy I have always supported and am proud to be part of.
I have taken the time to read the mandate letters the Premier assigned to Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants and it has become clear to me that I want to play a part in the important work her government is doing to build for the future.
The issues the Premier is championing – retirement security, investment in the Ring of Fire, better health care – are the same issues I care deeply about and areas where the people of Sudbury rightly expect to see real progress.
I need to be clear, this is not a decision I made easily. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve my community for the past six years at the federal level, but my time at the federal level has come to an end. I am excited by the opportunity to continue that representation in a new, exciting way. I believe I can make an even greater difference for the constituents of Sudbury as a member of this Ontario Liberal government.
My career has been spent fighting for supports for persons with developmental disabilities, for services for families struggling with autism and for better consumer protection for our citizens, I will continue to advocate for these issues and I know I will be a more effective champion working at the provincial level.
Sudbury is my home, it is where my wife and I are raising our family, and I believe an Ontario Liberal government is the best choice to lead Sudbury and the rest of our province forward to greater security and opportunity.
I am very excited to be part of the Ontario Liberal team and to work hard in earning the votes of Sudburians so I can once again represent their voice in government.