Premier Doug Ford has named Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop as the new Minister of Education and Nolan Quinn as the new Minister of Colleges and Universities.
Kevin Holland has joined Cabinet as the new Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Graham McGregor has joined Cabinet as the new Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform as part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
“With these changes, our government remains focused on rebuilding Ontario’s economy and protecting public safety as we deliver better jobs and bigger paycheques for workers in every part of the province,” said Premier Ford. “I’m thrilled to recognize Jill, Nolan, Kevin and Graham for their leadership and know they will each work tirelessly to serve the people of Ontario.”
Todd Smith has resigned as Minister of Education and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte to pursue a the private sector after just a few months as education minister.
Meanwhile, Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP, responded to the abrupt resignation of Smith:
“People in Ontario deserve a government that treats our children’s education and the system that cares for our littlest ones as valuable, not trivial.
Both of these sectors are in crisis. That the brand-new Education minister and minister in charge of Child Care abruptly jumps ship with less than three months on the job, the day after an important, long-delayed funding formula announcement for child care and just weeks before school is starting, shows the level of seriousness with which Doug Ford and his politicians take kids and families."
