Canada: Ontario Premier Doug Ford And Cabinet Sworn-In

On June 7, Ontario voters elected a majority Progressive Conservative Party (PC) government, capturing 76 of the 124 seats in the provincial parliament. On June 29 Doug Ford was sworn-in as Ontario's 26th premier; Premier Ford's cabinet was also sworn-in. Ford reaffirmed his oath of office and gave a speech on the steps of the legislature in a ceremony open to the public.

Background

Premier Ford decreased the size of the provincial cabinet to 21 members, including himself; down from the 28 member cabinet former Premier Kathleen Wynne had before her June 7 defeat. The smaller cabinet is in keeping with Ford's campaign promise to find efficiencies at Queen's Park.

Many of the most significant cabinet portfolios were assigned to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) that have experience at Queen's Park. The presence of seasoned legislators will likely make Ford's first few years smoother than under former Progressive Conservative Premier Mike Harris given the relative inexperience of Harris' government as compared with Ford's.

The cabinet is less diverse than under Wynne; of the 21 members, there are only seven women and one minority. The cabinet could become more diverse over time as it is common for premiers to shuffle their cabinet a number of times during their term after members of caucus have had the opportunity to distinguish themselves.

In addition to announcing the members of his cabinet, Premier Ford also announced the Parliamentary Assistant Assignments, which may be found here.

For more information about the 2018 Ontario election, our Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice group released a 2018 Ontario Election summary.

Meet the Executive Council

Premier Ford's cabinet, "A Government for the People," includes 21 MPPs, including himself. In addition to his role as Premier, Doug Ford is also the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Peter Bethlenfalvy - President of the Treasury Board
Raymond Cho - Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
Steve Clark - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Christine Elliott - Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Deputy Premier
Victor Fedeli - Minister of Finance and Chair of Cabinet
Merrilee Fullerton - Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ernie Hardeman - Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Sylvia Jones - Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Lisa MacLeod - Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
Monte McNaughton - Minister of Infrastructure
Caroline Mulroney - Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
Rod Phillips - Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Greg Rickford - Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Laurie Scott - Minister of Labour
Todd Smith - Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and Government House Leader
Lisa Thompson - Minister of Education
Michael Tibollo - Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Jim Wilson - Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
John Yakabuski - Minister of Transportation
Jeff Yurek - Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Peter Bethlenfalvy - President of the Treasury Board↩

Minister Bethlenfalvy was most recently the Chief Investment and Risk Officer at CST Consultants. Prior to joining CST, he was Senior Vice President, financial regulations at Manulife Financial, where he was responsible for strategy and monitoring financial regulatory systems around the world. Peter was also President and Chief Operating Officer of TD Securities (USA).

Raymond Cho - Minister for Seniors and Accessibility↩

Minister Cho won a by-election in the riding of Scarborough-Rouge River in 2016 and became the first MPP of Korean background in Ontario.

Previously, Cho served as a municipal politician. He was first elected as a Metro Councillor in 1991 and was re-elected to the amalgamated City of Toronto in 1997. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Toronto, as well as a Master's degree of Education and a Doctorate degree in counselling psychology from the University of Toronto.

Steve Clark - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing↩

Minister Clark was first elected as an MPP for Leeds-Grenville in a 2010 by-election. Clark has served as the Ontario PC Caucus Deputy House Leader and Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Clark gained attention across Canada in 1982 when, at the age of 22 and just out of university, he was elected Mayor of the City of Brockville. This gained him the title of Youngest Mayor of Canada and a notation in the Who's Who of Canada. He served three terms as mayor and, during his tenure, was also the President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Christine Elliott - Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Deputy Premier↩

Minister Elliot ran against Premier Ford during the PC leadership race in early 2018. In 2006, she was elected as an MPP and served nine years, including six years as Deputy Premier.

In 2016, Elliot became Ontario's Patient Ombudsman where she fought for better access to health care for all. Earlier in her career, Christine co-founded a law firm with her late husband Jim Flaherty, where she specialized in real estate, corporate law, and estate law.

Victor Fedeli - Minister of Finance and Chair of Cabinet↩

Minister Fedeli was first elected as an MPP in 2011. Fedeli served as interim Leader of the Ontario PCs from January to June 2018. He has also served in roles such as Official Opposition Energy Critic and Finance Critic.

Fedeli was elected mayor of North Bay in 2003. He has served as Director of Global Vision, Director of Ontario's Northern Business Support System, and Ontario's Northern Development Council. Additionally, he was elected to 10 terms on the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce.

Merrilee Fullerton - Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities↩

Minister Fullerton is a family physician and health advocate. Having graduated from University of Ottawa Medical School, she practiced locally, first serving out of the Carleton Place Hospital and then as a family physician at Med-Team Clinic in Kanata. Dr. Fullerton has been very active in professional medical associations and local health care organizations, including advisory roles with both the Ontario Medical Association and Canadian Medical Association, and membership in the City of Ottawa Board of Health and the local LHIN serving Ottawa and area.

Ernie Hardeman - Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs↩

Minister Hardeman was first elected as an MPP in 1995 and was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing until 1999. He was re-elected in June 1999 and was appointed by Premier Harris to Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Prior to the 1995 election, Mr. Hardeman had a long career in municipal politics in Southwestern Ontario. He was first elected to the Township of South-West Oxford council in 1980 and, later, served as mayor from 1988 to 1994. Mr. Hardeman is also a former warden of Oxford County council and has served as chair of the Warden's Association of Ontario.

Sylvia Jones - Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport↩

Minister Jones was first elected as an MPP in 2007. Her many critic responsibilities have included serving as the Critic for Community and Social Services; the Critic for Children and Youth Services; the Critic for Government Services; and the Opposition Deputy House Leader. Since being elected in 2007, she has introduced many pieces of legislation that have been adopted into government and have become law, including the Social Assistance Statute Law Amendment Act, the Aggregate Recycling Promotion Act and the Respecting Private Property Act.

Lisa MacLeod - Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues↩

Minister MacLeod was first elected as an MPP in a 2006 by-election as the youngest MPP in that parliament and the youngest conservative woman to be elected in Ontario – either federally or provincially. Lisa has served as Official Opposition Finance Critic, Energy Critic, Education Critic, Revenue and Accountability Critic, Government and Consumer Affairs critic and Critic for Children and Youth.

McLeod's legislative successes includes Rowan's Law, Canada's first concussion legislation, Lebansese Heritage Month and Trans Remembrance Month. As well, McLeod has been successful in receiving all party support for making Queen's Park family friendly, defending Ontario's horseracing industry, and a compassionate and catastrophic care Motion.

Monte McNaughton - Minister of Infrastructure↩

Minister McNaughton was first elected as an MPP in 2011. McNaughton was the Official Opposition Critic for Economic Development and Growth, and the former Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislative Assembly.

He was previously elected as Newbury Councillor. He graduated from Westervelt Business College and successfully completed executive programs at the Richard Ivey School of Business, and in 2009-10, he served as President of the Strathroy and District Chamber of Commerce.

Caroline Mulroney - Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs↩

Minister Mulroney ran against Premier Ford during the PC leadership race in early 2018. A graduate of Harvard College and the NYU School of Law, Mulroney had a successful career in the private sector spanning business and law before entering into politics. In addition to her work in the private sector, Mulroney is passionate about the charitable organization she co-founded and chairs called the Shoebox Project for Shelters. Caroline Mulroney is the daughter of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

In her role as Attorney General, Mulroney will be responsible for fighting Ottawa's promise to impose a carbon tax: a major campaign promise of Premier Ford's.

Rod Phillips - Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks↩

Minister Phillips was most recently the Chair of both Afiniti Canada—a global artificial intelligence company, and Postmedia—Canada's largest news media company. He is the former President and CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, and Shepell.fgi—a Canadian based international employee health company.

Greg Rickford - Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs↩

Minister Rickford worked in remote First Nations communities of Northern Ontario as a young nurse and lawyer early in his career. In 2013, as a federal Member of Parliament, he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister of State (Science and Technology) and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor). In 2014, he was promoted to the Minister of Natural Resources while retaining his responsibilities for FedNor.

Premier Ford faced criticism from First Nations groups and the NDP leading up to the swearing-in ceremony over his move to combine the indigenous affairs portfolio, rather than leave it as its own ministry. A separate ministry was created in the wake of the Ipperwash inquiry that recommended it be a stand-alone ministry. For now, Indigenous Affairs is a separate portfolio that Minister Rickford holds concurrently.

Laurie Scott - Minister of Labour↩

Minister Scott was first elected as an MPP in 2003. A graduate of Loyalist College, she previously worked as a Registered Nurse in several locations, including the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay. Scott is a tireless advocate for victims of human sex trafficking in Ontario, both inside and outside of the Legislature. She was recognized for her work with the 2017 Champion for Children award by the BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy Centre in Toronto.

Todd Smith - Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and Government House Leader↩

Minister Smith was elected as an MPP in 2011, and served as the Critic for Small Business and Red Tape with the Official Opposition. Smith was also a member of the PC Caucus Job Creation Task Force, Critic for Citizenship and Immigration, and a member of the Standing Committee on General Government. 

Prior to joining politics, Todd was an institution on the morning radio at Quinte Broadcasting stations for more than 16 years, where he held the News Director position for CJBQ, Mix 97 and Rock 107.  Todd has also served as the Belleville Bulls play-by-play announcer on the OHL Tonight on TV Cogeco.

Lisa Thompson - Minister of Education↩

Minister Thompson was elected as an MPP in 2011. Thompson had roles that included Caucus Chair, Critic for International Trade, Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and member of the Standing Committee on General Government.

Most recently, Thompson served as the General Manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Cooperative (ODGC). Thompson's professional highlights also include her time as a Rural Community Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program; and the George Morris Executive Development Program.

While Thompson is new to the education portfolio, her status as a rural MPP could signal that Ford plans to address rural school closures as a high priority in the coming term. As well, she never publicly supported former Premier Wynne's sexual education curriculum, and voted against Bill 13, the legislation that was a precursor to the sexual education curriculum. Ford has been critical of Wynne's sexual education curriculum.

Michael Tibollo - Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services↩

Minister Tibollo is a lawyer with 30 years of experience and extensive involvement in his community of Vaughan-Woodbridge ranging from teaching martial arts and not-for-profit volunteerism to community development. Michael was instrumental in the creation of Italian Heritage Month in Canada, and also created the Festival of Light, celebrating cultural diversity in the City of Vaughan.

Jim Wilson - Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade↩

Minister Wilson was first elected as an MPP in 1990 serving in roles such as Minister of Health; Minister of Energy, Science and Technology; Minister of Northern Development and Mines; and Minister of the Environment. In 2014, he was elected by his PC Caucus colleagues as Interim Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. In 2015, he was selected by PC Leader Patrick Brown to serve as Interim Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in the Ontario Legislature where he later returned to his role as House Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition.

John Yakabuski - Minister of Transportation↩

Minister Yakabuski was first elected as an MPP in 2003 where he has served in roles such as Labour and Training Critic, Chief Whip for the Official Opposition, House Leader for the Official Opposition, and member of the General Government Committee.

Yakabuski was elected to the municipal council in the village of Barry's Bay in 1997. Formerly a real estate sales representative, Yakabuski is best known locally as the former owner-operator of Yakabuski's Home Hardware in Barry's Bay, which he operated for 20 years.

Jeff Yurek - Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry↩

Minister Yurek was first elected as an MPP in 2011. He has served in a series of roles in the PC Caucus including Deputy Critic of Finance (Auto Insurance Reform), Critic of Transportation and Auto Insurance Reform, Member of the Standing Committee on General Government, Critic of Natural Resources and Forestry, Critic of Health, and member of the Standing Committee of Regulation and Private Bills.

Yurek graduated from the Pharmacy Program at the University of Toronto in 1995 where he held a position as a teaching associate with the University of Toronto's Structured Practical Experience Program for the School of Pharmacy.

Swearing-in speech

Premier Ford's public swearing-in speech reiterated his government's commitment to a series of campaign promises including: lower tax bills; job creation and protection; elimination of the carbon tax; lower hydro rates and increased accountability; relief for business owners; restoration of accountability and public trust; and ending hallway health care. 

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