Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins resigns

Ontario's Health MinisterEric Hoskinsannounced Monday he is resigning his post and won't be running in the June provincial election.

"In leaving Queen's Park, I am determined to continue building better healthcare for all Canadians," said Hoskins in a statement. "That path and journey will become clearer in the days ahead."

• Ontario announces free prescription drugs for under-25s
• OHIP+ drug program now up and running

Two sources close to the announcement tellCBCNews thatHoskinsis resigning to become the head of a federal commission to investigate options for a nationalPharmacareprogram.

Hoskinsis a doctor and an officer of the Order of Canada. Hewas first elected an MPP in 2009 in the Toronto riding of St. Paul's. He ran for the Ontario Liberal Party leadershipin 2013. Premier Kathleen Wynne appointed him economic development minister in her first cabinet, then made him herhealth minister after the 2014 election.

His departure will be a blow to Wynne'scabinet, as he is the fourth senior minister to announce he will not run in the election.

In a statement immediately after his resignation was announced, Wynnesaid Hoskinshas been "instrumental" in the province's move to make prescription drugsfree for people under age 25. "There is much more work to do and I know Eric will look forward to telling you about how he will be involved," Wynne said.

Wynne announced that Helena Jaczek will become the new health minister and Michael Coteau will take on Jaczek's previous job as minister of community and social services.