The Brampton South MPP takes oath as Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
BRAMPTON: Brampton South MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria has been appointed Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction in a major reshuffle in the Ontario Cabinet by Premier Doug Ford on Thursday.
In the reshuffle which comes one year after the PC Party won power, all but seven ministers have had their portfolios changed.
The biggest change is in the portfolio of Finance Minister Vic Fedeli who has been moved to the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Fedeli’s removal is linked to the falling numbers of the PC Party in public opinion.
Environment Minister Rod Phillips is the new Finance Minister.
The environment portfolio goes to Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek.
And Caroline Mulroney, who has lost the important job of the Attorney General, is the new Minister of Transportation and Francophone Affairs.
In an obvious demotion, Lisa Thomson has lost the education portfolio. She will now be Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
Lisa MacLeod too has lost the portfolio of children, community and social services and she has been given the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Deputy Premier Christine Elliott stays as Minister of Health. But she will now have two ministers to assist her. Merrilee Fullerton comes in as the new Minister of Long-term Care and Michael Tibollo is the new Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
Sarkaria, who is one of the couple of visible minority faces in the Doug Ford Ministry, said he looked forward to his new role.
In a tweet, Sarkaria said, “My dad was a small business owner – and I know firsthand that entrepreneurs are the source of much success and prosperity. It is an honour to be named Associate Minister for Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. I look forward to taking on this new role.”
Sarkaria added, “Small businesses are the backbone of Ontario’s economy Families work hard to make their dreams come true and make good quality jobs for themselves and others. That’s why it’s crucial we provide the most competitive environment to make the aspirations of our entrepreneurs come true.”
With today’s reshuffle, the number of Cabinet and Associate Ministers has gone up from 21 to 28.
READ ALSO: Prabmeet Sarkaria: How the son of an immigrant from Amritsar rose in politics in Ontario
