With less than a year before the next election, Premier Doug Ford has shuffled his cabinet.
Five ministers are out, eight have been moved and seven backbenchers have been promoted.
Former Finance Minister Rod Phillips is returning, but as minister of long-term care.
Gone are natural resources minister John Yakabuski, former infrastructure minister Laurie Scott, former associate energy minister Bill Walker and former Environment Minister Jeff Yurek.
Into the Environment Minister role is David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, who says he’s excited for the opportunity to build on the efforts made in our community.
Piccini adds that the pandemic has highlighted the need for the park system, including Presquile.
He says he wants to engage youth.
Piccini says addressing the Gypsy Moth issue across Northumberland is a priority.
Those staying put include Health Minister Christine Elliott, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, Education Minister Stephen Lecce, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney and Labour Minister Monte McNaughton.
The changes come almost 2 years after the last cabinet shuffle and just 50 weeks prior to the 2022 election.
The full list of Cabinet ministers include:
· Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, becomes Minister of Colleges and Universities.
· Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton, becomes Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
· Parm Gill, MPP for Milton, becomes Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
· Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax, becomes Minister of Long-Term Care.
· David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, becomes Minister of Environment.
· Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, assumes a merged role as Minister of Northern Development, Mining, Natural Resources and Forestry, as well as Indigenous Affairs. This new northern and economic focused ministry will enhance development potential and sustainability in the North. Energy will transfer to a new separate ministry.
· Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, becomes Minister of Energy.
· Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, becomes Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
· Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, MPP for Brampton South, becomes President of the Treasury Board.
· Kinga Surma, MPP for Etobicoke Centre, becomes Minister of Infrastructure.
· Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron Bruce, becomes Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
· Stan Cho, MPP for Willowdale, becomes Associate Minister of Transportation, reporting to Minister Mulroney.
· Jane McKenna, MPP for Burlington, becomes Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues, reporting to Minister Fullerton.
· Nina Tangri, MPP for Mississauga Streetsville, becomes Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape, reporting to Minister Fedeli.
· Kaleed Rasheed, MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville, becomes Associate Minister of Digital Government, reporting to Minister Bethlenfalvy.
