The Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough- Westdale MPP said Friday he, too, has heard the gossip that he won’t run in the Oct. 6, 2011, election, but contrary to popular belief, he will continue to fly the Liberal banner in the local provincial riding.

“I have every intention of running again. My health is good. I’ve got lots of energy and I want to continue to make a significant difference,” Mr. McMeekin said last week. “I think someone is being very mischievous here.”

In the last provincial election in 2007, incumbent McMeekin fought a tough campaign against Tory Chris Corrigan. Mr. McMeekin topped his opponent by capturing 20,395 or 41.5 per cent of the vote. Mr. Corrigan finished second with 17,136 votes or 34 per cent.

While not pointing fingers in any particular direction, Mr. McMeekin said he wished the rumours would stop.

“It’s very unbecoming and very serious, especially in regards to a person’s health. Somebody is trying to pour gas on a fire that isn’t there,” he said.

In the spring of last year, Mr. McMeekin, 60, underwent prostate cancer surgery and was sidelined for about a month before returning to the legislature. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian men. It usually grows slowly and can often be cured or managed successfully if detected early.

“I’m going once a year for a checkup,” said Mr. McMeekin. “I’m feeling great and my doctors are telling me I’m doing as well as expected. There’s no reason to curtail my activities, and I fully intend to run.”

Mr. McMeekin said another mandate from the electorate in 2011 will allow him to continue the “good work” his government has already done in growing the economy and protecting public services.

“We’re uploading costs that the previous government downloaded. We’ve walked through the rubble and we‘re rebuilding Ontario,” said Mr. McMeekin, adding tax reform should also put more money in taxpayers’ pockets and create a competitive business regime to improve the province’s economy.

“I have three girls, and I want to look back in 20 years over the last decade and I want to say to my girls, and hopefully my grandkids by then, that we had the courage and the wisdom to act...because we were worried about the quality of life for you guys.”

Mr. McMeekin was first elected in a byelection in 2000, then re-elected in 2003 and 2007.

He was appointed minister of consumer services in June 2009, and has responsibility for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Ontario Film Review Board. He previously served as the minister of government services and as parliamentary assistant to the minister of education.

Before entering provincial politics, Mr. McMeekin served as mayor of Flamborough, as a Hamilton city councillor and as a leader in several community organizations.