A First Nations leader calls Ontario’s cabinet shuffle a disappointment, and says Aboriginal issues need the exclusive attention of a dedicated minister.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced a shuffle of his cabinet Monday, shifting 12 MPPs to new portfolios and giving others within his government additional duties. Attorney General Chris Bentley had Aboriginal affairs added to his list of responsibilities. Bentley took Aboriginal affairs from Brad Duguid, who is now Minister of Energry and Infastructure.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stand Beardy said the decision to give Aboriginal affairs to the attorney general is a step backward. The chief said a stand-alone minister would allow for better communication for Aboriginal affairs and would lead to less frustration.
"I think it’s important for Aboriginal affairs to have its own ministry in order to continue building a strong working relationship," Beardy said. "We are disappointed that the premier doesn’t see Aboriginal issues worthy of having a stand-alone minister."
MPP Michael Gravelle (Lib., Thunder Bay – Superior North) retained his Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry title. He said he has worked with Bentley in the past and looks forward to working with him again.
"Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs will remain a stand-alone ministry," Gravelle said. "It continues to be a real priority for our government. Bentley is a competent man and I have every confidence he will be a very hard working minister of Aboriginal affairs."
Gravelle was able to speak to Bentley shortly after the premier’s announcement. Gravelle said Bentley told him that he was excited to get started as the minister.
Having a minister with more than one responsibility isn’t unusual, Gravelle added. Duguid, as an example, is the minister of both Energy and Infrastructure.
Gravelle said he was pleased with the premier’s decision to keep him with his cabinet position. The local MPP said he continues to work on modernizing the Mining Act, and working on other initiatives for the forestry sector such as competition for wood supplies.
Gravelle was given forestry earlier in the year, which was a responsibility that belonged in the Ministry of Natural Resources before then.
MPP Bill Mauro (Lib., Thunder Bay – Atikokan) said there are more than 70 members McGuinty’s Liberal government and every one of them would like to be in cabinet.
There are seven northern seats in the Ontario Legislature, and the Liberals have three cabinet ministers from Northern Ontario ridings.
"It is a major shuffle," Mauro said. "We got a strong group of people in Ontario. There are seven northern seats and we already have three cabinet ministers. The North is pretty well represented."
Some of the new cabinet ministers include Linda Jeffrey, who replaces Donna Cansfield as Minister of Natural Resources.
Following is a complete list of McGuinty’s new shuffled cabinet:
- Leona Dombrowsky , Minister of Education
- Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
- Chris Bentley, remains Attorney General and becomes Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
- Monique Smith, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and she remains government house leader
- Jim Bradley, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Consumer Services
- Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources
- Eric Hoskins, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
- Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation
- John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
- Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
- Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion
- Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services
- Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade
- Harinder Takhar, Minister of Government Services
- John Gerretsen , Minister of the Environment
- Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance
- Peter Fonseca, (Mississauga East-Cooksville) Minister of Labour
- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
- Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry
- Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
- John Wilkinson, Minister of Revenue
- Gerry Phillips, Minister without portfolio and Minister Responsible for Seniors
