On Thursday, June 6th, Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet, appointing 36 ministers, the largest in Ontario history.
These changes continue to fuel speculation of an early election in the province, with new portfolios narrowing in on the government’s critical focus areas.
A full list of the new appointments is below.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
- Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West becomes Minister of Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries as part of the Ministry of Energy and Electrification.
- Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga-Centre becomes Minister responsible for Long-Term Care.
- Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga becomes Minister of Red Tape Reduction.
- Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry becomes Associate Minister of Small Business as part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
NOTABLE CHANGES
- Minister Stan Cho moves from Long-Term Care to a new Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. This Ministry will be responsible for OLG.
- Minister Todd McCarthy becomes Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, with the added responsibility for Supply Ontario.
- Minister Stephen Lecce becomes the new Minister of Energy and Electrification. This portfolio will advance energy and EV infrastructure in the province.
- Minister Todd Smith becomes the new Minister of Education. A seasoned Minister, Smith will continue managing the government’s complex relationships with teachers’ unions.
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has split into two with Minister Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, becoming Minister of Farming, Agriculture and Agribusiness.
- Minister Lisa Thompson (former OMAFRA minister) retains a new ministry called Rural Affairs.
INCREASED SIGNALS TO EARLY ELECTION
Premier Doug Ford may face challenges ahead due to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unpopularity and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre’s surging polling numbers. Historically, Ontario tends to elect opposite parties at the provincial and federal levels. Should Poilievre win the federal election, this may present significant obstacles for Ford during the next provincial election currently scheduled for 2026.
Ford’s latest Cabinet shuffle fuels speculation that he is preparing to call an early election to capitalize on Prime Minister Trudeau’s unpopularity and secure a new mandate for his government before the federal election next year.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE INDUSTRY?
Over the next several weeks, new Ministers and staff will be onboarded to their new portfolios. Ministers and their staff will spend time in the coming months building relationships with their sectors. Cabinet shuffles generate uncertainty amongst staff, and we can expect it will take some time before offices are settled.
Reach out to Wellington Advocacy for further insight throughout this transition.
Book a call at contact@wellingtonadvocacy.com.
Current Cabinet Appointments:
- Premier Doug Ford remains Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Sylvia Jones remains Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
- Peter Bethlenfalvy remains Minister of Finance
- Paul Calandra remains Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Raymond Cho remains Minister of Seniors and Accessibility
- Stan Cho becomes Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, with responsibility for OLG
- Doug Downey remains Attorney General
- Jill Dunlop remains Minister of Colleges and Universities
- Vic Fedeli remains Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
- Rob Flack becomes Minister of Farming, Agriculture and Agribusiness
- Michael Ford remains Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
- Mike Harris becomes Minister of Red Tape Reduction
- Michael Kerzner remains Solicitor General
- Andrea Khanjin remains Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks
- Natalia Kusendova-Bashta becomes Minister of Long-Term Care
- Stephen Lecce becomes Minister of Energy and Electrification
- Neil Lumsden becomes Minister of Sport
- Todd McCarthy becomes Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, with responsibility for Supply Ontario
- Caroline Mulroney remains President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs
- Michael Parsa remains Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
- David Piccini remains Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
- George Pirie remains Minister of Mines
- Greg Rickford becomes Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and remains Minister of Northern Development
- Prabmeet Sarkaria remains Minister of Transportation
- Todd Smith becomes Minister of Education
- Graydon Smith becomes Minister of Natural Resources
- Kinga Surma remains Minister of Infrastructure
- Lisa Thompson becomes Minister of Rural Affairs
- Stephen Crawford becomes Associate Minister of Mines as part of the Ministry of Mines
- Trevor Jones becomes Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response as part of Treasury Board Secretariat
- Sam Oosterhoff becomes Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries as part of the Ministry of Energy and Electrification
- Nolan Quinn becomes Associate Minister of Forestry as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources
- Nina Tangri remains Associate Minister of Small Business as part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
- Vijay Thanigasalam becomes Associate Minister of Housing as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Michael Tibollo remains Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions as part of the Ministry of Health
- Charmaine Williams remains Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity as part of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services