On the final day of the legislative session, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a cabinet shuffle that will see several key ministers taking on new roles.
The shuffle, which was announced on Wednesday, comes as the Ford government prepares for the upcoming provincial election in 2022.
One of the most notable changes is the appointment of Rod Phillips as the new Minister of Finance, replacing Peter Bethlenfalvy who will now serve as the President of the Treasury Board.
Phillips, who previously served as the Minister of Long-Term Care, will now be responsible for managing the province’s finances during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, Christine Elliott will remain as the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, while also taking on the role of Minister of Long-Term Care.
Other changes include Prabmeet Sarkaria taking on the role of Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Lisa Thompson becoming the new Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
Ford also announced that he will be taking on the role of Minister of Indigenous Affairs, a position previously held by Greg Rickford who will now serve as the Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.
The shuffle also sees several new faces joining the cabinet, including Parm Gill as the new Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, and Jane McKenna as the new Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
In a statement, Ford said that the new cabinet will “continue to focus on protecting the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, while also laying the foundation for a strong economic recovery.”
The changes will take effect immediately, with the new cabinet set to be sworn in on Thursday.
