On Tuesday, June 24, 2014, the Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne announced the composition of her Executive Council or Cabinet. A number of senior ministers are taking on new and in some cases expanded responsibilities, while a number of experienced MPPs are being appointed to Cabinet for the first time. Other changes include the restructuring of various ministries. For example, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury Board is now being divided into two separate ministries with two Ministers.
In addition to the new appointments, a new category of cabinet appointment is being established, that is, the “Associate Minister” in a number of key ministries.
Below is a summary of the new Cabinet structure that may be of interest to BLG’s clients and contacts.
The New Cabinet
Kathleen Wynne
Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Charles Sousa
Minister of Finance (formerly Minister of Finance and Treasury Board Chair)
Deb Matthews
President, Treasury Board, Deputy Premier (moved from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
Mitzie Hunter
Associate Minister of Finance (new appointment with responsibility for the new Ontario Retirement Pension Plan)
Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (formerly the Minister of Economic Development and Trade)
Dipika Damerla
Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Glen Murray
Minister of Environment and Climate Change (moved from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Steven Del Duca
Minister of Transportation (new appointment)
Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure (moved from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to this newly expanded Ministry)
Reza Moridi
Minister of Research and Innovation is now also the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Michael Coteau
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports and the 2015 Pam Am Games (moved from the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and Trade)
Michael Chan
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Trade (moved from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports and the 2015Pam Am Games)
Ted McKeekin
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (moved from the Ministry of Community and Social Services)
Yasir Naqvi
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Government House Leader (added responsibility)
Helena Jaczek
Minister of Community and Social Services
Bill Mauro
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (moved from Municipal Affairs and Housing)
Jeff Leal
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (takes over the Agriculture portfolio from the Premier)
Tracy McCharles
Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues (moved from the Ministry of Consumer Services)
David Orazietti
Minister of Consumer Services and Government Services (moved from the Ministry of Natural Resources)
Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Energy
Liz Sandals
Minister of Education
Madeleine Meilleur
Attorney General and Minister of Francophone Affairs
Michael Gravelle
Minister of Northern Affairs and Mines
Kevin Flynne
Minister of Labour
Mario Sergio
Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs
David Zimmer
Minister of Aboriginal Issues
Jim Bradley
Minister without Portfolio and Chair of Cabinet (moved from the Ministry of Environment)
Bob Delaney
Chief Government Whip
Next Steps
Over the next four to six weeks, the new Ministers will spend a significant amount of time restructuring their offices with political staff. In addition, Ministers will be briefed by senior civil servants on the key issues facing their government departments. Select meetings with external stakeholders will also take place in an effort to manage these groups, obtain some understanding of their policy demands and the expectations they have of the new government.
