Premier Doug Ford announces changes to cabinet

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is shuffling his cabinet following the abrupt resignation of the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade last week.

In a release issued Monday morning, Ford said he met with Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell to recommend the following changes:

The Honourable Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, who has been serving as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade on an interim basis, will assume full-time responsibility for this portfolio in addition to his ongoing responsibilities as Government House Leader.

The Honourable John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, is appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

The Honourable Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon, is appointed Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

The Honourable Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, is appointed Minister of Transportation.

The Honourable Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, is appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, is appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

The Premier also announced that Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby, is appointed Government Caucus Whip and Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, is appointed Deputy Government Caucus Whip.

“After four months of unprecedented action, we are taking this opportunity to calibrate our cabinet assignments to ensure we continue to deliver on our commitments to the people,” said Ford. “We have the best team in politics and a plan that is working.”

Jim Wilson resigned from cabinet on Friday and left the Tory caucus to seek treatment for “addiction issues.” The announcement came just hours after he appeared with Ford at a border crossing near Sarnia, Ont., where they unveiled a sign advertising Ontario as “Open for Business.”

The cabinet changes come just four months after Ford took the reigns as Premier of Ontario.