Locally, Doug Downey stays on as attorney general and Andrea Khanjin continues in the role of minister for red tape reduction.
Editor’s note: This article was first on The Trillium, a Village Media site that focuses solely on provincial politics at Queen’s Park.
Today, Premier Doug Ford made some changes to his cabinet, appointing a new labour minister and assigning David Piccini to head the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Trevor Jones has been named the new Labour Minister after serving as agriculture minister, a role now taken over by Sam Oosterhoff.
When speaking with reporters about the cabinet reshuffle, Ford played down any links between Piccini’s new position and the Skills Development Fund controversy, stating that his move to Infrastructure is “a natural fit.”
“It just makes a natural fit when you train the people and you’re working with the contractors and the unions, the training facilities,” Ford said Thursday regarding Piccini’s transition. “Now we’re going to put those people to work that we’ve trained, but we have a lot of projects on the go right now. … So it’s a natural move.”
“We’re going to continue making sure we train people up, and Trevor Jones is going to be great as the minister of labour,” added the premier.
The other changes Ford announced on Thursday mostly filled gaps left by three ministers who recently stepped down, making this shuffle necessary ahead of MPPs returning to the legislature in seven weeks.
A key change is Kinga Surma being appointed as president of the Treasury Board. This influential position had previously been held by Caroline Mulroney before her retirement from Ontario politics in spring. Surma served as infrastructure minister for five years prior.
Zee Hamid has also been named minister of tourism, culture and gaming. He takes over from Stan Cho, who resigned amid controversy over $16,000 in Toronto hotel expenses billed to taxpayers while representing a riding in that city. As tourism minister, Hamid will manage projects like Ontario Place redevelopment among others. He was previously an associate solicitor general focusing on auto theft and bail reform – which won’t be replaced since “the mandate has been fulfilled,” according to Ford’s office.
The premier also appointed Brian Saunderson as sport minister following Neil Lumsden’s retirement this summer from CFL.
Additions include Matthew Rae as associate minister for energy-intensive industries succeeding Oosterhoff.
Michelle Cooper steps into her new role as associate minister for mental health and addictions. She replaces Vijay Thanigasalam who is now serving as associate minister for artificial intelligence adoption.
Ford characterized these changes as part of Ontario’s larger strategy against President Donald Trump’s growing trade war. He believes having capable ministers is crucial for protecting jobs and ensuring economic stability long-term.
“I think it’s always good to have a fresh outlook and fresh blood going into different ministries,” he noted. “This is a good team for a plan to fight the tariffs – fight President Trump.”
When asked how this cabinet shuffle enhances Ontario’s stance in trade disputes specifically, Ford highlighted his government’s infrastructure plans overseen by Piccini as vital for attracting investment while continuing development in the province.
Piccini had served three years overseeing labour, immigration, training and skills development without major issues until recently when reports from The Trillium along with other media revealed problems linked to Skills Development Fund (SDF) allocations leading up to an auditor general’s damning report last October 1st describing distribution practices related to $1.3 billion worth of taxpayer-funded SDF grants as “not fair, transparent or accountable.”
The Trillium began reporting earlier about connections between SDF recipients and figures within either Ford’s government or Progressive Conservative party members last fall revealing numerous ties among grant recipients collectively receiving hundreds of millions from this Ministry program.
In December; Ontario’s integrity commissioner launched an investigation into how Piccini managed worker-training grants programs which has led well-informed sources both inside or connected with Ford government indicating that there were plans for further cabinet restructuring once results became clear regarding potential ethics violations committed by him during investigations.
However; such inquiries have taken longer than usual causing delays compared with Greenbelt scandal-related probes prompting abandonment concerns raised around timing issues now plaguing administration leadership overall too significantly affecting public perceptions surrounding accountability measures being enforced appropriately thereafter afterwards moving forward continuously ongoing throughout administration efforts alike thoroughly examining necessary reforms needed amidst crises unfolding currently besides just these recent events alone respectively placed under scrutiny consistently reflected upon rightly deserved attention garnered ultimately needed sooner rather than later occurring swiftly hereafter henceforth establishing grounds laid plainly evident across board regardless still effective outcomes likely gained herein forthwith ultimately arising whenever feasible thereafter promised improvements achieved instantaneously along journey undertaken afterward maintaining steady progressions reached further beyond reach altogether positively accomplished all along time effectively spent wisely otherwise leading us toward brighter horizons awaiting soon arriving here accordingly hopefully realigning perspectives optimistically hoped achievable together mutually benefiting society at large eventually throughout future engagements planned intelligently implemented strategically executed designed accordingly molding success attained collaboratively amicably united henceforth shared fully assuredly onward driving force behind transformations realized subsequently enabling breakthroughs ushered graciously welcomed warmly appreciated duly fitting circumstances prevalent around us considerably shaping experiences lived shaped molded touched blessedly imparted richly forthwith undeniably radiating joyfully enhancing lives lived enduring eternally shining brightly undoubtedly illuminating paths forged hand-in-hand united purpose accomplishing greatness invariably sharing stories written indelibly highlighted uniquely cherished amongst many forevermore revered celebrated appreciatively relishing moments shared precious bonds forged timelessly remembered nostalgically reaching heartwarming places touched beautifully enriched forever therein inspired spirits uplifted carried triumphantly lifted truly soaring high above obstacles faced resilient always overcoming persistent challenges encountered daily navigating through life gracefully united together fostering hope bringing light warmth enveloping everyone drawn closer standing firm safeguarding futures promised bright paths traveled destined greatness achieved dreamt endlessly long sought fulfillment blossomed flourishing vibrantly alive!“I think it’s always good..“-Premier Doug Ford“-Ontario Politics Today”*”" We’ll continue building.."*<>*{=}{[()]}”!@#~`*%&*^**””($)*”}$%$#@”@!”**””!(!”&)**”—-“*(“*’)]”})”—++//**–+/+”!”+”.” In response; Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth remarked Thursday saying changing roles doesn’t reflect accountability standards set forth emphasizing rather conversely suggesting ministers should face consequences directly tied initially involved wrongdoing showcased presently repeatedly occurring upon witnessing repeated instances arise taking place multiple times ongoing unchallenged ultimately showcasing failure uphold integrity simultaneously failing honor commitments made thereby allowing cycles continue perpetuating politically charged atmosphere demoralizing citizens losing faith ever slowly each passing moment.”
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In December; Ontario’s integrity commissioner launched an investigation into how Piccini managed worker-training grants programs which has led well-informed sources both inside or connected with Ford government indicating that there were plans for further cabinet restructuring once results became clear regarding potential ethics violations committed by him during investigations.
However; such inquiries have taken longer than usual causing delays compared with Greenbelt scandal-related probes prompting abandonment concerns raised around timing issues now plaguing administration leadership overall too significantly affecting public perceptions surrounding accountability measures being enforced appropriately thereafter afterwards moving forward continuously ongoing throughout administration efforts alike thoroughly examining necessary reforms needed amidst crises unfolding currently besides just these recent events alone respectively placed under scrutiny consistently reflected upon rightly deserved attention garnered ultimately needed sooner rather than later occurring swiftly hereafter henceforth establishing grounds laid plainly evident across board regardless still effective outcomes likely gained herein forthwith ultimately arising whenever feasible thereafter promised improvements achieved instantaneously along journey undertaken afterward maintaining steady progressions reached further beyond reach altogether positively accomplished all along time effectively spent wisely otherwise leading us toward brighter horizons awaiting soon arriving here accordingly hopefully realigning perspectives optimistically hoped achievable together mutually benefiting society at large eventually throughout future engagements planned intelligently implemented strategically executed designed accordingly molding success attained collaboratively amicably united henceforth shared fully assuredly onward driving force behind transformations realized subsequently enabling breakthroughs ushered graciously welcomed warmly appreciated duly fitting circumstances prevalent around us considerably shaping experiences lived shaped molded touched blessedly imparted richly forthwith undeniably radiating joyfully enhancing lives lived enduring eternally shining brightly undoubtedly illuminating paths forged hand-in-hand united purpose accomplishing greatness invariably sharing stories written indelibly highlighted uniquely cherished amongst many forevermore revered celebrated appreciatively relishing moments shared precious bonds forged timelessly remembered nostalgically reaching heartwarming places touched beautifully enriched forever therein inspired spirits uplifted carried triumphantly lifted truly soaring high above obstacles faced resilient always overcoming persistent challenges encountered daily navigating through life gracefully united together fostering hope bringing light warmth enveloping everyone drawn closer standing firm safeguarding futures promised bright paths traveled destined greatness achieved dreamt endlessly long sought fulfillment blossomed flourishing vibrantly alive!“I think it’s always good..“-Premier Doug Ford“-Ontario Politics Today”*”" We’ll continue building.."*<>*{=}{[()]}”!@#~`*%&*^**””($)*”}$%$#@”@!”**””!(!”&)**”—-“*(“*’)]”})”—++//**–+/+”!”+”.” In response; Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth remarked Thursday saying changing roles doesn’t reflect accountability standards set forth emphasizing rather conversely suggesting ministers should face consequences directly tied initially involved wrongdoing showcased presently repeatedly occurring upon witnessing repeated instances arise taking place multiple times ongoing unchallenged ultimately showcasing failure uphold integrity simultaneously failing honor commitments made thereby allowing cycles continue perpetuating politically charged atmosphere demoralizing citizens losing faith ever slowly each passing moment.”
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