Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott named Minister of Labour

Laurie Scott admits she has a learning curve ahead as the province’s new Minister of Labour.

“My first step is going to get updated on the Ministry as soon as possible — we’re starting meetings in the next 30 minutes,” chuckled Scott shortly after Friday’s swearing-in ceremony.

“We’re setting up meetings to get updated right away,” she told CHEX News.

The long-time Progressive Conservative MPP from Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock was named Minister of Labour as party leader Doug Ford was sworn in as premier during a ceremony at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

“That’s a good question for Premier Ford,” quipped Scott, when asked why she thought she was selected for the role.

Scott was re-elected for a fifth term following the June 7 provincial election. But it’s the first time she’ll hold a seat in the cabinet of the governing party of Ontario.

“The majority of our cabinet colleagues have been MPPs. We’ve got a lot of experience from a lot of different sections,” she said. “We’ve been critics in government before or worked on issues with stakeholders in our communities and across the province. I think they’re relying on our strengths from being MPPs previously.”

Until she’s reviewed the labour portfolio, Scott declined to comment on any issues she expects to address. But she says she’s committed to representing the riding on her campaign promises.

“To give relief to the people, make life more affordable and bring back good paying jobs,” she said, referring to her mandate in her new role.

“I look forward to getting to work,” Scott said. “We’ll be starting meetings shortly. What we campaigned on are the issues we are going to deal with.”