Doug Ford unveils his Ontario PC cabinet

Posted June 29, 2018 10:55 am.

Last Updated June 29, 2018 1:09 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

CHRISTINE ELLIOTT

DEPUTY PREMIER & MINISTER OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE

Riding: Newmarket-Aurora

Background: International audit counsel at Bank of Nova Scotia – 1984-88, co-founded a law firm with her late husband Jim Flaherty, was elected MPP for Whitby-Ajax from 2006 – 2018. Ran for leader of the Ontario PC Party against Ford and lost.

Ford challenge: Doug Ford has promised to save Ontario’s health care system and this job will fall on the shoulders of Christine Elliot. Ford said he will end “hallway medicine,” add 15,000 new long-term care beds, build a comprehensive mental health system, not cut nursing jobs, all while slashing four per cent of the departmental budget. Ford also has people looking into a more private, two-tier health care system.

Twitter quote: “We are the only party that will bring relief to Ontario families. Can’t wait to get started.”

Social media: @celliottability

CAROLINE MULRONEY

ATTORNEY-GENERAL & MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS

Riding: York-Simcoe

Background: First time MPP; Unsuccessfully ran for the leadership of Ontario PC Party; Vice President of Toronto-based investment firm BloombergSen Investment Partners; Spearheaded corporate and regulatory matters for Wellington Financial LP; Co-founded and chairs the Shoebox Project for Shelters benefitting women and girls in shelters; Member of the Board of Directors of the Hospital for SickKids Foundation; Daughter of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

Ford challenge: Ford has said he would restore funding for anti-gang and anti-gun task forces in Toronto, specifically the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) which was disbanded in 2017 after the province cut funding for the program due to its connection with the controversial practice of carding. Ford said he would put additional money into community policing, of which TAVIS would be part of. Another issue that will require immediate action is the implementation of legalized marijuana, set to take effect on Oct.17

Social media: @C_Mulroney

VICTOR FEDELI

MINISTER OF FINANCE AND CHAIR OF CABINET

Riding: Nipissing

Background: Mayor of North Bay – 2003 to 2011. Elected Nipissing MPP in 2014. He has served as the Official Opposition Energy Critic and Finance Critic. Elected Interm PC Leader after Patrick Brown stepped aside following a scandal.

Ford challenge:: It will be the job of Fedeli, as Minister of Finance, to make Ford’s promised tax cuts to the middle class, a reality. Ford says his plan – which would only kick in during the third year of a Tory government – would save those earning between $42,960 and $85,923 annually a maximum of $786 per person. Ford also vowed to reduce government spending by $6 billion without firing any workers. Ford has also said minimum wage workers will pay “zero income tax,” saving them approximately $800 a year.

Quote: “We must always remember the people who put their trust in us as we get this province back on track. We will always put the people first.”

Social media: @VictorFedeli

ROD PHILLIPS

MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS

Riding: Ajax

Background: First time MPP elected in 2018; Previously served as chief of staff to Toronto mayor Mel Lastman; Former President and CEO of OLG and Shepell.fgi; Previously Chair of the Board of Postmedia and Member of the Global Advisory Board and the Canadian Chair of Afiniti

Ford Challenge:This will be one of the most important portfolio’s to watch because of Ford’s announcement to scrap Ontario’s cap-and-trade legislation. It’s an ambitious promise as the system is tied up in legislation and there are contractual agreements with Quebec and California to deal with as well. Even if Ford manages to untangle the provincial legislation, there is still the matter of the federal government’s plan to impose a carbon tax on any province that refuses to do so. That would require a court challenge, which could be lengthy and expensive.

Social media:@RodPhillips01

JOHN YAKABUSKI

MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

Riding: Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

Background: First elected as an MPP in 2003 and returns for his fifth term at Queens Park; father served the former riding of Renfrew South for 24 years; previously served as the Labour and Training Critic and the Whip of the Official Opposition in the last legislative session

Ford challenge:Expect to hear the mantra “subways, subways, subways” as Ford pledged an additional $5-billion on top of the $9-billion already committed by the province and federal government to build subways in Toronto and he made it clear his preference is for underground transit. Ford also raised an eyebrow with his suggestion that the province take over responsibility for the TTC’s subway construction and maintenance, raising concerns that it would lead to privatization of the system. Toronto city council Council recently voted 30-6 in favour of a motion that subways should continue to be owned by the city.

Social media:@JYakabuskiOnPC

GREG RICKFORD

MINISTER OF ENERGY, NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND MINES AND MINISTER OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

Riding: Kenora-Rainy River

Background: Served as the Minister of Natural Resources in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet. Has previously worked as a nurse and a lawyer. He was the first Conservative MP ever elected in the 84-year history of the Kenora riding.

Ford challenge:Reduce hydro bills by 12 per cent, cancel Liberal energy projects that are in pre-construction phase and re-negotiate other energy contracts. Eliminate enormous salaries at Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One. Set up a formal resource revenue-sharing system to ensure northern communities benefit from projects in the region.

Social media: @GregRickford

MICHAEL TIBOLLO

MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Riding: Vaughan-Woodbridge

Background: Tibollo, who was born and raised in Toronto, is a lawyer with over 30 years of experience. He’s a newcomer to politics – elected for the first time in 2018 election. He teaches martial arts and is an avid bee-keeper.

Ford challenge::Restore funding to anti-guns-and-gangs units in Ottawa and Toronto. Commit more money to fight organized crime and combat domestic and elder abuse. Hire more corrections, probation and parole officers.

Twitter quote: “We must always remember the people who put their trust in us as we get this province back on track. We will always put the people first.”

Social media: @MichaelTibollo

STEVE CLARK

MINISTER OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING

Riding: Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

Background: Clark was first elected MPP for Leeds-Grenville in a March, 4, 2010, byelection. Fresh out of university, Clark was elected the mayor of Brockville at the age of 22. He went on to serve three terms as mayor. He worked in media and Internet development for 14 years with the Brockville Recorder and Times newspaper and RipNet.

Ford challenge::Preserve rent control for existing tenants across Ontario. Increase the supply of affordable housing across the GTA while protecting the Greenbelt in its entirety.

Social media: @SteveClarkPC

LISA THOMPSON

MINISTER OF EDUCATION

Riding: Huron-Bruce

Background: Degree in Public Administration and Consumer Economics from the University of Guelph, has an extensive background in agricultural including GM of the Ontario Dairy Goat Cooperative; Rural Community Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Vice-Chair of Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. Thompson was elected to Queen’s Park in 2011 and re-elected in 2014.

Ford challenge::As Minister of Education, Lisa Thompson will be tasked with pushing forward Ford’s promise to radically change the education system. Ford has promised to replace the controversial sex-education curriculum brought in by the Wynne government, as well as the current math curriculum. Ford also vowed to also reform (EQAO) test and improve standardized testing.

Twitter quote: “Given the choice between the AG’s accounting & the accounting of a govt that has repeatedly broken its word & repeatedly demonstrated it has little interest in actual transparency accountability or concerns of its watchdogs– We believe the auditor general.”
Social media: @LisaThompsonMPP