Less than 24 hours before incoming Premier Kathleen Wynne names her cabinet, names are beginning to leak.
According to several reports, Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is staying in the Liberal government’s inner circle as the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, moving from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Gravelle takes over from Rick Bartolucci, who recently announced he would not run in the next election and asked not to be named to Wynne’s cabinet. Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti to take over Gravelle’s former post, which he held for 16 months. Gravelle was Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry under former premier Dalton McGuinty from Oct. 30, 2007 until Oct. 20, 2011.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro's name has not been mentioned Sunday as a cabinet candidate. Wynne officially announces her cabinet Monday afternoon.
The Toronto Star reports Bob Chiarelli will take over the energy portfolio from the retiring Chris Bentley. His first order of business will be fixing the mess left behind the $230-million cancellation of two southern Ontario power plants, though locally officials will be expecting a quick decision on the halting of the conversion of the Thunder Bay Power Generating Station from coal to natural gas.
Bentley made that call late last year.
Wynne is also expected to drop Laurel Broten as Minister of Education in favour of Guelph backbencher Liz Sandals, a former Ontario School Boards Association president. Willowdale MPP David Zimmer has been tagged to take over Aboriginal Affairs.
