Dalton McGuinty puts family in spotlight as he steps away from politics

Outgoing Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty bid his Liberal Party goodbye Friday night, saying, as most departing politicians do, that his family was calling.

That would be one heck of a phone bill, to be sure.

McGuinty comes from a family of 10 children. He had wife Terri have four of his own. The Family theme absolutely oozed from his night of tribute at the Ontario Liberal leadership convention on Friday.

At one point, McGuinty read out the names of his siblings, taking a pause partway through that sent chuckles through the audience.

And Terri got her due, too. The woman behind Premier Dad was thanked and honoured by each of the six candidates seeking to replace McGuinty. Meantime, his eldest children, son Dalton Jr. and daughter Carleen, hosted the tribute.

[ Related: Ontario Liberals bid farewell to Dalton McGuinty ]

They did an impressive job, celebrating their father and mocking him the way only children can. Dalton Jr. told the true story of how McGuinty got the nickname “Premier Dad.” It came, not from the mind of a clever journalist, but from a retort by his father when his authority was challenged during a friendly game of golf.

But most moving of all was McGuinty’s tribute to his own father, the former Ontario MPP who died in 1990, and his mother, gifted with the best seat in the house.

“My father taught me that politics is an honourable profession. It was true then. It’s still true today,” he said, and this is when tears first appeared in his eyes. “My only regret is that my dad never saw me enter public life. I am grateful for the support my mom has given me and I am so proud she could be here tonight.

“Many kind things have been said to me of late. Let me say this: If I have been able to do good for others, it’s because of all the good things my parents did for me. Thank you, mom.”

Call me a sap, but of all the hands McGuinty shakes this weekend, and of all the hugs he receives, it will be those from his family he remembers the most.

And it should be that way.