Premier Doug Ford Reshuffles Ontario Cabinet as Legislature Breaks for Summer

Premier Doug Ford has kicked off the summer season by shaking up his cabinet and extending the legislative break until after Labour Day. The major cabinet shuffle reassigns key roles and portfolios as Ford resets priorities for the final two years of his second term as Premier. The June 5th cabinet restructuring ushers out some veteran ministers while promoting newer faces into top positions.

Some of the major moves include:

New Roles

  • Michael Krizanc becomes Minister of Finance, replacing Peter Bethlenfalvy
  • Michael Ford appointed Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
  • Neil Lumsden takes over as Minister of Education
  • Dave Smith named Minister of Health

Other Changes

  • Caroline Mulroney shifts from Transportation to Francophone Affairs
  • Vic Fedeli moves from Economic Development to Labour
  • Stephen Lecce departs Education for the Ministry of Long-Term Care

In a statement, Ford framed the overhaul as bringing in “fresh perspectives” to deliver on his government’s plans for the remainder of this term. 
With the cabinet reset, the Ontario legislature will now break from June 14th until September 11th after the Labour Day weekend.

This extended summer recess allows Ford’s reworked cabinet time to settle into their new roles and prepare policy roadmaps for the fall session. The summer parliamentary break means Ontarians will need to wait until September to see the new policy directions and priorities unveiled by the restructured cabinet members. The Ford government’s fiscal agenda from new Finance Minister Krizanc will be particularly anticipated. Cabinet ministers will likely use the summer for regional tours, roundtables and funding announcements related to their new portfolios.

The opposition parties will also use the extended recess to regroup and prepare their counter-messaging heading into the final stretch of this term.While a summer of speculating awaits, the true launch of this new phase for Ford’s Progressive Conservatives will commence when the legislature reconvenes in September.

Ontarians should stay tuned as the reworked cabinet lays out its plans for the remainder of this term over the coming months.