Kenora Rainy-River MPP Greg Rickford has been named to Premier Doug Ford’s Cabinet.
In this session of Parliament, Rickford will once again serve as Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development, as well as the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. He was sworn into his role earlier this morning.
Rickford served the same ministries during his previous term as MPP under Premier Ford, although, the Ministry of Northern Development was previously known as the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. It's now been split back up into 3 separate portfolios.
Originally, Ontario had the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, as well as the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. They were then consolidated together in 2018, a decision which has since been reversed.
Graydon Smith will now serve as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, while George Pirie will serve as the Minister of Mines, with a mandate to develop the Ring of Fire in the north.
The provincial government held their Swearing-In ceremonies for provincial ministers on June 24. Of note, former Solicitor General Sylvia Jones will be replacing Christine Elliott as the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier, after Elliott announced her retirement earlier this year.