Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced his new cabinet, keeping many familiar faces while making strategic shifts in key portfolios, including housing, education, and the environment.
Among the major changes, Paul Calandra moves from the Ministry of Housing to become Minister of Education, replacing Jill Dunlop, who now takes on the Emergency Preparedness portfolio. Todd McCarthy steps into the role of Minister of Environment, a more high-profile position than his previous role overseeing Public and Business Service Delivery.
Rob Flack, who previously held the Agriculture portfolio, is now leading the crucial Ministry of Housing as Ford continues to push for accelerated housing development across Ontario.
Despite the reshuffle, several key ministers remain in their positions:
- Sylvia Jones stays on as Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
- Peter Bethlenfalvy continues as Minister of Finance
- Vic Fedeli retains his role as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade
A significant development in Ford’s new cabinet is the expanded focus on Ontario’s Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich region in northwestern Ontario. Greg Rickford remains Minister of Indigenous Affairs while also taking on the newly created role of Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships.
“As Ontario faces one of the greatest challenges in our history, workers and families are counting on us to stand up for their jobs and well-being,” Ford stated.
“We will double down on our plan to train and reskill workers, attract new investments, remove trade barriers, and cut red tape to develop Ontario’s vast natural resources, including the critical minerals in the Ring of Fire.”
- Zee Hamid is the only newcomer in Ford’s cabinet, stepping in as Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, a newly created position to tackle crime and safety concerns.
- Graham McGregor has been named Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, taking over from Michael Ford, the premier’s nephew, who did not seek re-election.
- Andrea Khanjin, previously Minister of Environment, moves to lead Red Tape Reduction.
- Michael Tibollo, formerly the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has been reassigned as Associate Attorney General, with Vijay Thanigasalam stepping into his former role.
Ford’s 37-member cabinet remains the same size, with several senior ministers continuing in their roles:
- Doug Downey as Attorney General
- Michael Kerzner as Solicitor General
- Caroline Mulroney as President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs
- Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy, will also oversee the mining sector, as George Pirie transitions from Minister of Mines to Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth.
Notably, Steve Clark, who resigned as Housing Minister amid the Greenbelt controversy, remains part of Ford’s team as Government House Leader, though not in a cabinet role.
The swearing-in ceremony, officiated by Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont, took place at the Royal Ontario Museum on Wednesday, signaling Ford’s commitment to stability and continuity while addressing new economic challenges.
Ontario’s new Executive Council is as follows:
- Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
- Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
- Doug Downey, Attorney General
- Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
- Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
- Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
- Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
- Paul Calandra, Minister of Education
- Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines
- Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
- Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance
- Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and the Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships
- Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure
- David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
- Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care
- Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources
- George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth
- Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
- Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction
- Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs
- Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility
- Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General
- Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport
- Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
- Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation
- Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs
- Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General, as part of the Ministry of the Attorney General
- Zee Hamid, Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, as part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, as part of the Ministry of Energy and Mines
- Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources
- Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, as part of the Ministry of Health
- Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, as part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
- Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, as part of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services