Premier Doug Ford says he’s shuffling his cabinet to prepare Ontario for the “long haul” in the tariff war with Washington.
Ford, who has lost three cabinet ministers in recent months, announced the changes Thursday, which included the creation of a new position: associate minister of artificial intelligence adoption.
The position of associate minister of auto theft and bail reform is being wound down, the province said in a news release, given its mandate “has been fulfilled.”
“Ontario won’t back down. We’re preparing for the long haul, and that means putting the right team in place to protect Ontario workers and jobs today while building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7 that can withstand whatever challenges come our way.”
Nine members of provincial parliament have been impacted in the cabinet shuffle.
Kinga Surma, who was infrastructure minister, is now president of the Treasury Board. Peter Bethlenfalvy held that role in addition to his minister of finance position after former Treasury Board president Caroline Mulroney left the legislature.
David Piccini will take over Surma’s previous position, while Trevor Jones takes over Piccini’s portfolio as minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. Piccini has been the subject of an integrity commission investigation since late last year over the controversial skills development fund.
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Sam Oosterhoff, who previously served as associate minister of energy-intensive industries, is taking over Jones’ file as minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness. Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, is being brought into cabinet to fill Oosterhoff’s vacancy.
Zee Hamid, the former associate minister of auto theft and bail reform, is now minister of tourism, culture and gaming. Previous minister Stan Cho recently resigned from that job after coming under fire for spending $16,000 in Toronto hotel stays despite living in the city.
Vijay Thanigasalam is the new associate minister of artificial intelligence adoption, a position the province said is being created to “ensure Ontario remains at the forefront of responsible AI adoption.”
Thanigasalam will “focus on putting Ontario’s world-class research, talent and innovation to work, helping businesses and industries adopt new technologies, boost productivity and prepare workers for the jobs of the future, including by supporting workers displaced by AI adoption,” the province said.
Michelle Cooper, MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence, is being brought into cabinet to take over Thanigasalam’s old position as associate minister of mental health and addictions.
Finally, Brian Saunderson is being brought into cabinet as minister of sport, taking over the job from Neil Lumsden who resigned from the posting and as MPP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles said Ford should’ve dropped Piccini from cabinet.
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“Instead of accountability, the premier just rewarded him with another job,” she said in a statement.
“This is ridiculous. His track record shows he can’t be trusted with public dollars and contracts.”
Trump ‘going after us,’ Ford says
Ford told reporters after the news release was issued that Trump is “going after us … ever since he got elected.”
“We’re coming into the midterms. Hopefully he’s going to lose the Senate, he’s going to lose Congress. I hope so,” he said in reference to the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
“We aren’t going to interfere in the U.S. election, but I have received calls from governors in the U.S., senators and congress people to say, ‘We love Canadians. We’re going to continue moving forward in a good relationship.’”
Ford also warned of “some pain” heading Ontario’s way given Canada’s tariffs that were imposed Tuesday, and Washington’s tariff adjustments announced Tuesday night.
“I’m proud that the prime minister didn’t accept that deal because it would have been a disaster,” Ford said in a callback to talks between Ottawa and Washington last month.
“So we’re going to stand up and we’re going to fight like we’ve never fought before.”
“Ford told reporters after the news release was issued that Trump is “going after us … ever since he got elected.”
Gee, I wonder why?
Bottoms up, Dougie!
“I’m proud that the prime minister didn’t accept that deal because it would have been a disaster,” Ford said.
I am ashamed I gave you my vote because you have become a disaster.
Ford is as self serving as they come
He will be kissing Trumps back end the.moment he sees some value in doing so just as he does with Carney
They can shuffle all of them, but it won’t erase the scandals, the record breaking amount of debt they added to our provincial debt, the cuts to healthcare, education, the meddling into municipal affairs, the vanity projects that cost taxpayers billions, the police investigations into his government. The list is really endless with this government and he spends far too much time fear mongering for his advantage.