June 27, 2022
Last week Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the government’s new cabinet and my client Sussex Strategy Group has again kindly agreed to let me provide you with their outline and analysis of what it may mean for the province moving forward.
The Hon. Monte McNaughton, the the MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, became Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in June of 2019 and returns to that position with an expanded role. He has Immigration added to his portfolio. Previously, Immigration and Citizenship had a standalone minister, and the position was held by Parm Gill.
The major changes to the cabinet, including new ministers and portfolios, are outlined below in the Sussex analysis and there is a link for the entire cabinet list.
Sussex is an experienced and highly respected government relations firm that offers strategic and consulting services. I find their reports informative and insightful, and I hope you will also.
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Premier Doug Ford Announces New Cabinet
Today, Doug Ford and the members of his new Cabinet were sworn in by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. The Premier’s new Executive Council has grown to 30 members, up three from 27 in the last term. The slightly larger contingent is in part reflective of the larger majority the PCs acquired in the June election, with 83 seats and more caucus members to choose from. The new Cabinet includes seven women – down from nine in the previous government – as well as seven people of colour and six newly elected MPPs.
Although much of the Premier’s Cabinet remains the same, some big changes to the front and back benches have been made, with the appointment of a new Minister of Health, the creation of a women’s issues portfolio, and tasking six newly elected MPPs with ministerial duties.
Sylvia Jones is the incoming Minister of Health, replacing Christine Elliott, who decided not to run in this election, while Stephen Lecce remains in his position as the Minister of Education. Health and Education remain two important portfolios for Premier Ford as these ministries oversee the two largest budget lines; the government is planning on spending billions in hospital infrastructure and will soon begin contract negotiations with the teacher unions.
Peter Bethlenfalvy remains in his post as the Minister of Finance, providing continuity and stability in this critical role.
Based on the priorities that were laid out in the PCs’ 2022 Budget that was introduced but not passed before the election, ministries overseeing transportation and infrastructure projects will also be important to the Premier as the government pursues its plans to build highways and transit projects.
Steve Clark returns as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, where he will continue to implement recommendations from the Housing Affordability Task Force, build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years, and address the increasing cost of housing in Ontario. A new junior Cabinet role – Associate Minister of Housing – will be filled by Michael Parsa, who will help Minister Clark with the portfolio.
Todd Smith remains in his role as the Minister of Energy where he will carry on with work to address supply needs and invest in new energy infrastructure in Ontario. Vic Fedeli returns as Chair of Cabinet and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade where he will continue with the province’s post-pandemic economic recovery and promote Ontario as an economic hub to attract more jobs and manufacturing skills.
Re-elected Mississauga—Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri is not returning to Cabinet as there is speculation she might run for Speaker of the House, potentially replacing re-elected MPP Ted Arnott who has held the post since 2018. Tangri served as the Associate Minister for Small Business and Red Tape Reduction in the last term.
Other members not reappointed to Cabinet include re-elected MPP Lisa MacLeod who was the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and re-elected MPP Ross Romano who served as the Minister of Government and Consumer Services
Click here »» to read more and the full Cabinet list