Canada: The Liberal Government Of Ontario's New Cabinet (October 2011)

OVERVIEW

On Thursday October 20, 2011, Premier Dalton McGuinty unveiled his new cabinet. The Premier has made it clear that the government's key priority is bolstering the province's economy, and he has chosen experienced cabinet ministers to assume key portfolios toward that end. Some key Ministries have been combined and the overall number of cabinet positions has been reduced from 28 to 22.

COMBINED PORTFOLIOS

In order to reduce the size of Cabinet, the Premier has combined various Ministries:

• The separate Ministries of Transportation and Infrastructure are now under one Minister.
• Research and Innovation and Economic Development and Trade is now the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation.
• The Ministry of Revenue has been folded back into Finance.
• The Ministry of Health Promotion has been absorbed into the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

OTHER KEY POSITIONS

The Premier now takes over as the Minister of Intergovernmental Relations. This comes at a time when negotiations with the federal government over various policy issues are becoming increasingly vital for Ontario. For example, the Premier has said that he wants a new 10 year Health Care Accord among the provinces, territories and federal government. In addition, the Premier wants the federal government to reform the Employment Insurance Program to ensure Ontario's businesses and workers are treated fairly.

John Milloy, the new Minister of Community and Social Services also becomes the House Leader. This role is critical since House Leaders lead the day to day discussions with the opposition parties to ensure the governing party can move its legislative agenda forward.

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