Executive Summary:
Today, Premier Doug Ford unveiled his Cabinet with an experienced team focused on delivering the government’s mandate to protect Ontario amidst trade challenges and build a stronger, more competitive, and resilient economy. Ford has kept the Cabinet at its current size, Ontario’s largest, since increasing it after first taking office in 2018. The Cabinet now stands at 37 members, the same size as in the most recent configuration. While many of the prominent ministers remain in their portfolios and there are very little new faces to Cabinet, the shuffle prioritizes economic development, workforce reskilling, reducing trade barriers, and critical resource development, especially in the Ring of Fire. Ford reinforced that no matter what, “we will protect Ontario.”
Cabinet Makeup
Cabinet is now composed of the following Ministers:
Premier & President of the Council / Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs: Doug Ford
Deputy Premier & Minister of Health: Sylvia Jones
Minister of Finance: Peter Bethlenfalvy
Attorney General: Doug Downey
Minister of Education: Paul Calandra
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade: Vic Fedeli
Minister of Energy and Mines: Stephen Lecce
Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks: Todd McCarthy
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: David Piccini
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: Rob Flack
Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation / Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships: Greg Rickford
Minister of Infrastructure: Kinga Surma
Minister of Transportation: Prabmeet Sarkaria
Minister of Long-Term Care: Natalia Kusendova-Bashta
Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth: George Pirie
Minister of Natural Resources: Mike Harris
Minister of Rural Affairs: Lisa Thompson
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services: Michael Parsa
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming: Stan Cho
Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement: Stephen Crawford
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security: Nolan Quinn
Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism: Graham McGregor
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness: Trevor Jones
Minister for Seniors and Accessibility: Raymond Cho
Minister of Sport: Neil Lumsden
Minister of Red Tape Reduction: Andrea Khanjin
Solicitor General: Michael Kerzner
President of the Treasury Board & Minister of Francophone Affairs: Caroline Mulroney
Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response: Jill Dunlop
Associate Ministers:
Associate Attorney General (Ministry of the Attorney General): Michael Tibollo
Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform (Ministry of Solicitor General): Zee Hamid
Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries (Ministry of Energy and Mines): Sam Oosterhoff
Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products (Ministry of Natural Resources): Kevin Holland
Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: Graydon Smith
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions (Ministry of Health): Vijay Thanigasalam
Associate Minister of Small Business (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade): Nina Tangri
Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services): Charmaine Williams
For reference, the news release list is here.
Key Changes
Who’s In / Who’s Out?
New Faces:
Zee Hamid – Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform (new appointment)
Departures:
Michael D. Ford – No longer Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (previously Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism)
Portfolio Shuffles:
Trevor Jones – From Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response → Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Graham McGregor – From Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform → Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
Nolan Quinn – From Minister of Colleges and Universities → Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
Mike Harris – From Minister of Red Tape Reduction → Minister of Natural Resources
Paul Calandra – From Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing → Minister of Education
Jill Dunlop – From Minister of Education → Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Stephen Lecce – From Minister of Energy and Electrification → Minister of Energy and Mines
Todd McCarthy – From Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement → Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks
Andrea Khanjin – From Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks → Minister of Red Tape Reduction
Rob Flack – From Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness → Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Graydon Smith – From Minister of Natural Resources → Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Vijay Thanigasalam – From Associate Minister of Housing → Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
Michael Tibollo – From Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions → Associate Attorney General
What Do These Changes Mean?
The Cabinet shuffle highlights Premier Ford’s focus on strengthening Ontario’s economic resilience and competitiveness. Key files such as education, natural resources, and municipal affairs were handed to trusted caucus members with proven records. First-term MPPs like Graham McGregor and Trevor Jones were moved into full ministerial roles, signaling confidence in emerging leaders. The redistribution of portfolios—particularly related to energy, the Ring of Fire, housing, and public safety—reflects Ford’s intention to drive forward critical priorities while maintaining stability in key areas like finance, infrastructure, and health.
What Does This Say About Ford’s Strategy to Protect Ontario?
The shuffle reflects Ford’s clear focus on protecting Ontario’s economy against rising trade threats, particularly U.S. tariffs. By keeping trusted ministers in key files and assigning strong performers to areas like natural resources, housing, and public safety, the government is doubling down on priorities such as critical mineral development, workforce reskilling, cutting red tape, and expanding into new markets. The changes signal a deliberate strategy to defend Ontario’s jobs, industries, and communities, ensuring long-term growth and competitiveness in a challenging global environment.
Key Highlights for Industry Leaders
Today’s shuffle maintains stability in key economic portfolios, providing predictability for industries navigating an uncertain trade environment. The focus on resource development, particularly energy, natural resources, and critical minerals, signals continued priority on unlocking the Ring of Fire and supporting northern growth. The government’s commitment to cutting red tape and strengthening Ontario’s labour force remains clear, with targeted moves in housing, public safety, and small business. Industry leaders can expect ongoing alignment with pro-investment, pro-growth policies, while preparing for engagement on trade, infrastructure, and regulatory files.
Over the coming weeks, new Ministers and political staff will be onboarded to oversee their portfolios. Ministry officials will begin briefing their respective Ministers, and political offices will take time to establish relationships with sector stakeholders. As with all Cabinet shuffles, internal transitions may lead to some uncertainty in the short term, with offices expected to stabilize in the months ahead.
What’s Next?
April 14: 44th Parliament returns
April 15: Throne Speech outlining the government’s agenda
Budget 2025: Expected later this spring, where key funding and fiscal priorities will be confirmed