Ford Shuffles Ontario Cabinet, Replaces Ministers
Ford Shuffles Ontario Cabinet, Replaces Ministers
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Key Points
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The integrity commissioner’s investigation, launched in December, concerns Piccini’s distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in worker-training grants, including funding awarded to groups with close connections to the Progressive Conservatives.
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Sources connected to the Ford government had expected the cabinet change to wait until the integrity commissioner ruled on whether Piccini violated MPP ethics law, but the unusually prolonged investigation led the government to proceed without that determination.
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Before Surma’s appointment, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy had been carrying the Treasury Board portfolio in addition to his finance responsibilities following Caroline Mulroney’s departure.
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Piccini had led the labour, immigration, training and skills development ministry for three years, with his tenure becoming contentious after reporting and the auditor general’s criticism brought the Skills Development Fund controversy to wider attention.
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The expanded executive council includes new associate-minister responsibilities focused on artificial-intelligence adoption, energy-intensive industries, forestry and forest products, mental health and addictions, small business, and women’s social and economic opportunity.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday, moving labour minister David Piccini to infrastructure amid an ongoing ethics investigation. Sudbury.com reported that Trevor Jones takes over as labour minister, while Sam Oosterhoff becomes agriculture minister and Kinga Surma joins as president of the Treasury Board. The moves fill vacancies and strengthen the government during Reuters-reported trade tensions with the United States.
Piccini has faced scrutiny over his handling of a $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund that distributed worker-training grants, some going to groups with close ties to the Progressive Conservatives. ICI Radio-Canada reported that the integrity commissioner launched the investigation in December. Ford defended both Piccini and the fund, calling the cabinet change a natural move rather than a response to the probe.
Why Piccini Got Moved From Labour
David Piccini led Ontario's labour ministry for three years before Wednesday's shuffle. Quintenews reported that his tenure became contentious after media coverage and the auditor general criticized the Skills Development Fund. The integrity commissioner's investigation centers on how Piccini distributed hundreds of millions in grants to worker-training groups.
Sources tied to Ford's government expected the cabinet change to wait for the integrity commissioner's ruling on whether Piccini broke ethics laws. Elliot Lake Today noted that the unusually prolonged investigation led the government to proceed without that determination. Ford called Piccini's move to infrastructure 'a natural move,' signaling no wrongdoing by the minister.
New Faces Fill Key Ministerial Roles
Trevor Jones steps into the labour portfolio vacated by Piccini's move. Sam Oosterhoff takes agriculture and food security, while Kinga Surma becomes president of the Treasury Board. Sudbury.com reported that Zee Hamid becomes minister of tourism, culture and gaming after Stan Cho resigned over $16,000 in disputed Toronto hotel stays.
Brian Saunderson takes over the sport portfolio following Neil Lumsden's retirement. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy had been carrying Treasury Board duties alongside his finance responsibilities since Caroline Mulroney departed. Surma's appointment ends that dual load and reflects Ford's effort to stabilize the cabinet during trade tensions with the United States.
New Associate Ministers Target Growth Areas
Ford's expanded executive council now includes associate ministers focused on emerging priorities. New roles target artificial-intelligence adoption, energy-intensive industries, forestry, mental health and addictions, small business, and women's economic opportunity. The additions signal Ford's pivot toward economic resilience as trade disputes escalate with the United States under President Donald Trump.
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