Photo courtesy of: davidpiccinimpp.ca
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini has been moved out of the Labour portfolio as part of a cabinet shuffle by Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Piccini has been appointed Ontario’s new Minister of Infrastructure, replacing Kinga Surma, who moves into the position of President of the Treasury Board.
The shuffle also fills the Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development portfolio with Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Trevor Jones.
Piccini’s move comes while he remains the subject of an Integrity Commissioner investigation related to the province’s Skills Development Fund.
The $2.5-billion fund was established to help train workers for in-demand careers. The investigation followed concerns raised by Ontario’s Auditor General about the selection process for funding recipients, which was described as lacking fairness, transparency and accountability.
Piccini has represented Northumberland-Peterborough South at Queen’s Park since 2018. Before serving as Labour Minister, he was Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
The cabinet changes come as the Ford government continues to position its economic response around the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade dispute. The Infrastructure portfolio is a major ministry, overseeing areas including provincial infrastructure planning and investment.
The shuffle also addresses the vacancy left by Caroline Mulroney, who resigned from cabinet and as an MPP in June.
For Northumberland, Piccini’s move means the riding will continue to have a senior presence around the provincial cabinet table, although his responsibilities at Queen’s Park will change significantly.
The Integrity Commissioner investigation into the Skills Development Fund remains ongoing. The cabinet shuffle itself does not indicate any finding of wrongdoing.
Piccini’s new role was announced today as part of Ford’s broader cabinet changes.
