Barbara Patrocinio

Reporter

Premier Doug Ford introduced his newly formed cabinet on Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony at the Royal Ontario Museum, keeping much of his previous executive team while making a few notable tweaks.

Paul Calandra, who took over the housing file after the Greenbelt controversy, has been reassigned as Minister of Education.

Jill Dunlop, the former education minister, will now oversee emergency preparedness and response.

Rob Flack steps into the role of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. A relative newcomer to provincial politics, Flack was first elected as MPP for Elgin—Middlesex—London in 2022. His prior cabinet roles included associate minister of housing and more recently, minister of agriculture.

Stephen Lecce will continue as Minister of Energy, while also taking on responsibility for Mines. George Pirie, the former mines minister, has been reassigned as Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth.

Todd McCarthy has been named Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, replacing Andrea Khanjin, who now leads the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction.

Zee Hamid, elected in a 2024 byelection for Milton, joins cabinet as Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform under the Ministry of the Solicitor General. That role was previously held by Graham McGregor, who is now Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. McGregor takes over from Michael Ford, the premier’s nephew, who did not seek re-election.

Greg Rickford is now the minister responsible for Ring of Fire economic and community partnerships, replacing his previous role as minister of northern development. He still continues to be minister of Indigenous affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation.

Michael Tibollo, former longtime associate minister of mental health and addictions was appointed by Ford as associate attorney general.

In his speech, Ford warned that Ontario faces "one of the most pressing and significant challenges in our province's history" due to increasing U.S. protectionism. He directly addressed the U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that further tariffs and trade restrictions would lead to "mass layoffs across the American Rust Belt and red states."

Ford’s cabinet shuffle retained key figures while adjusting portfolios to align with emerging economic priorities. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy remains in his role, citing the need for "stability and certainty" amid economic uncertainty.

Despite speculation about a potential cabinet reduction, Ford maintained the same number of ministers—37, including himself. Ahead of the announcement, he had hinted at possible adjustments to align with his government’s new mandate.

“I have to make sure I put the proper cabinet ministers in based on the mandate we received from the people,” Ford told reporters on Tuesday. He reiterated his preference for having the "best players on the ice" to execute his government’s agenda.

This is the full list of the new cabinet:

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism

Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security

Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response

Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines

Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and the Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care

Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources

George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth

Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement

Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction

Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility

Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation

Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs

Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General, as part of the Ministry of the Attorney General

Zee Hamid, Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, as part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General

Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, as part of the Ministry of Energy and Mines

Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources

Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, as part of the Ministry of Health

Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, as part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, as part of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

In his speech, Ford warned that Ontario faces "one of the most pressing and significant challenges in our province's history" due to increasing U.S. protectionism. 

Premier Ford unveils his new cabinet

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