Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty reshuffled his cabinet Monday, bringing in fresh new faces and moving some familiar ones around.
The cabinet shuffle was made public at an afternoon swearing-in ceremony at Queen’s Park, with 12 members of the governing Liberal caucus taking the oath of office.
New faces in the cabinet include Toronto’s Brad Duguid who was named Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Duguid was formerly the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
Meanwhile cabinet heavyweight Kathleen Wynne was moved from the education portfolio to the ministry of transportation.
When asked if Wynne had been demoted, the premier told a Queen’s Park press conference on Monday: “Kathleen has proven herself to be exceptionally successful as she served as Minister of Education.
“Kathleen and I both agreed that she should serve well now in a new economic portfolio,” McGuinty added. He said members of the new cabinet were ready to face the challenges ahead.
“Ontarians are making great progress as we build a foundation for success in a post-recession world,” he said. “Each and every member of our cabinet, like our caucus, remains fully alive to the challenges and opportunities before us.”
Liberal MPP for York South-Weston, Laura Albanese noted that with the departures of former cabinet ministers George Smitherman and Jim Watson, the shuffle was due. Smitherman resigned recently from his provincial post to focus on his mayoral campaign in Toronto. Watson is running for mayor of Ottawa.
“I think that offered the opportunity to move the cabinet around and to put together a good, energetic team,” Albanese said.
However, NDP finance critic Michael Prue said Ontarians could expect more of the same from this new cabinet.
“If (Dalton McGuinty) was really intent upon putting a new face, he would have changed some of his key ministers,” Prue said.
“The reality is that it’s not going to change the local party very much or the government, because all the decisions will continue to be made in the premier’s office.”
New-look cabinet
Leona Dombrowsky – Minister of Education
Brad Duguid – Minister of Energy
Chris Bentley – Attorney General and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Kathleen Wynne – Minister of Transportation
Gerry Philips – Chair of Cabinet, Minister Without Portfolio, Responsible for Seniors
Jim Bradley – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Michael Chan – Minister of Tourism and Culture
Monique Smith – Government House Leader, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Sophia Aggelonitis – Minister of Consumer Services
Carol Mitchell – Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Linda Jeffrey – Minister of Natural Resources
Eric Hoskins – Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
“However, NDP finance critic Michael Prue said Ontarians could expect more of the same from this new cabinet.”
EXACTLY!
Multi Billion dollar deficit and these Liberal fools still don`t understand the concept of FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
He can shuffle till the cows come home and it won`t make a lick of difference.
This is an arrogant,incompetent,obnoxious Leader and Party who have no respect for taxpayers or their money.
http://tinyurl.com/yd8suvj
“…the disclosure could reasonably be expected to be injurious to the financial interests of the Government of Ontario,….”
But don`t worry Ontario,the good news is that the Premier and the Attorney General/Minister of Aboriginal Affairs have their priorities straight.
They are protecting you from puppies!
http://tinyurl.com/yaw4too
So don`t worry about the Economy or Native lawlessness in Caledonia.
They`ll distract you with some other non issue if that becomes necessary.
Grrr