Scarborough has retained its stake in the new cabinet as MPPs Brad Duguid and Margarett Best take on new portfolios in the minority Liberal government.
Best, previously Ontario’s Minister of Health Promotion and Sport, will take on the consumer services portfolio becoming the first black woman in the province’s history to be re-elected.
The Ministry of Consumer Services covers everything from the buying and selling of products and services like homes, funeral services, Ontario wines and stuffed toys. The Ontario Film Review Board also falls under Best’s portfolio.
To his post as Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Duguid brings his experience as minister of energy, minister of aboriginal affairs and minister of labour.
Duguid said he plans on continuing to build Ontario as one of the leading places in the world to invest.
“We must continue to … build Ontario into a jurisdiction that is seen as one of the most competitive places in the world in which to invest,” he said in an interview.
He also wants to work closely with business leaders in the province to help strengthen the economy, he said.
“I’ll be looking to the expertise within our business community and engaging with business leaders…to build a very strong economy.”
According to Duguid, the biggest concern for Ontario lies outside its borders with the state of the global economy and the ambiguity surrounding it.
“We need to prepare Ontario to make it through this period of uncertainty…[and] being able to build an economy that will drive us forward…both through job creation and investment,” he said.
He stressed that the McGuinty government is committed to economic development.
“While we cannot have a great deal of influence in that global economy…the number one priority of our government…is to do everything we possibly can in Ontario to build a strong economy,” he said.