OLG chair Paul Godfrey says he was given no reason for dismissal

Paul Godfrey speaks at a press conference after being fired as chair of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, in Toronto, Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Paul Godfrey says he has been asked to resign as chair of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation but was not given a reason why.

Speaking to media Thursday night, Godfrey said that when he asked Premier Kathleen Wynne why he was being fired she said that the government was "going in a different direction."

“I haven’t been given any reason for this decision, nor do I think there is a particularly good one,” he said. “Government is not required to provide a logical reason, we all know that, and I accept that."

Godfrey said that when he was appointed to the OLG in February 2010, he was told the gaming organization was in need of a “major overhaul.”

“After three years I believe it is a dramatically improved organization,” he said, listing a number of accomplishments the OLG has achieved since then, including setting new gaming revenue records.

Godfrey’s position will be filled by Peter Wallace, head of Ontario Public Service and Secretary of the Cabinet.

In response to Godfrey’s firing, six OLG members have submitted their resignations.

In a statement, Sousa said he met with Godfrey late Thursday afternoon “and thanked him for his leadership.”

“Under his leadership, OLG re-invented itself and became a modern and more efficient organization. OLG undertook a strategic business review of its entire operations that brought greater focus and discipline to this important public agency,” Sousa said.

“The Government of Ontario appreciates the commitment that Mr. Godfrey has made as Chair of OLG, and thanks him for the significant accomplishments made during this period.”

With files from CTV Toronto’s Paul Bliss