Ontario, Canada's deputy premier and cabinet minister of energy and infrastructure stepped down from his posts on Sunday to run for mayor of Toronto.

George Smitherman, Canada's first openly gay MPP, officially notified Premier Dalton McGuinty of his resignation on Sunday, before speaking to reporters.

"I am a son of this city," he said in a statement. "It is where I was born, where I was raised. It’s a city that has been a source of great pride and a place where I’ve devoted a great deal of my energy trying to help build a stronger community. Toronto has had an amazing history, of which we should all be proud. I believe it can have an even brighter future."

He told reporters that while he knows some voters will reject him solely because he is gay, others will vote for him. The National Post reports that he and his partner, Christopher, are attempting to adopt a child.

According to the Toronto Sun, his resignation is only the first step, before he can formally announce plans in January to campaign for mayor. Smitherman is up against a handful of other contenders who have popped up since Mayor David Miller announced he would not seek reelection in 2010.

Smitherman will continue his role as MPP for Toronto Centre "for the time being."