Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford Prepares for Third-Term Cabinet Announcement
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is set to announce his cabinet for a third term, with expectations that most current ministers will retain their positions. This announcement comes shortly after Ford was granted a third majority mandate in a snap election.
The new cabinet will be sworn in on Wednesday at the Royal Ontario Museum, during a ceremony attended by Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont, which is slated to begin at 2 p.m. Global News will provide a live stream of the event on its platform.
Ford previously dissolved the legislature in late January, prompting this unexpected winter election aimed at increasing his party’s majority beyond the 83 seats secured in 2022. He attributed the need for an early election to U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that a stronger mandate was essential to combat potential tariffs that could cost taxpayers billions while ensuring economic stability.
Pre-election polls indicated that the Progressive Conservative party could achieve a super-majority, with campaign strategists projecting a win of between 90 to 100 seats. Ultimately, however, the party obtained 80 seats. This result also marked a resurgence for the Liberal Party, which increased its seat count to 14, while the New Democratic Party (NDP) holds 27 seats as the Official Opposition.
Cabinet Team Dynamics and Responsibilities
At a gathering with the Queen’s Park Press Gallery, Ford expressed his intention to handle key issues regarding Canada-U.S. relations, while distributing related responsibilities among various ministers. “It’s a multi-ministerial group. No matter if it’s infrastructure or the auto sector, we’ll all be working together,” said Ford, referring to how collaboration will be central to his cabinet’s approach.
However, Andrew Brander, a vice-president at Crestview Strategies, warned that Ford must be cautious in balancing change with the stability he promised during the election. He emphasized that making significant alterations to cabinet could undermine Ford’s appeal as a leader advocating for consistency.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles has called for a complete cabinet overhaul, citing previous ministers’ failures. She pointed out the inadequacy of responses to pressing issues like the doctor shortage and problematic transit projects, saying, “We do need to see some change from this cabinet.”
Ford has also faced scrutiny over the composition and cost of his cabinet, which has expanded since 2018. His cabinet now includes 36 ministers and associates, with significant salary enhancements for these positions. Additionally, the number of parliamentary assistants from the Progressive Conservative party has risen to 32, reflecting an increasing trend in government staffing.
Brander mentioned that Ford might argue for maintaining a larger cabinet as a means of strengthening the government’s capability in managing challenges, especially regarding relations with the U.S. At the same time, Ford has resisted opposition calls for an immediate legislative session to discuss his plans for countering tariffs. Both the NDP and Liberals have requested a return of MPPs for discussions, advocating for an all-party committee to address these concerns.
As the swearing-in ceremony approaches, it remains to be seen how Ford will navigate the expectations of his party and the demands of opposition leaders as he embarks on this new term as Premier.
Source
globalnews.ca