The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) says it is looking forward to working with the province’s new and returning cabinet ministers.
Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet on Thursday.
Portfolios changing hands include Agriculture, Infrastructure, Labour, Tourism and more. One new post includes an Associate Minister of Artificial Intelligence Adoption.
“On behalf of FONOM and our 110 member municipalities, I congratulate everyone appointed to Ontario’s renewed cabinet,” says FONOM President Dave Plourde. “We look forward to building productive relationships with ministers taking on new responsibilities while continuing our strong work with returning ministers and their staff.”
There’s no change in responsibilities for northern MPPs Vic Fedeli (Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade), George Pirie (Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth) and Greg Rickford (Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and the Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships).
FONOM says it looks forward to working with several ministers on northern priorities.
They include highway safety and four-laning, infrastructure, housing, policing costs, mental health and addictions, forestry, energy, workforce development and economic growth.
“Northern Ontario is essential to building a stronger, more competitive and self-reliant province,” adds Plourde. “FONOM is ready to continue working with Premier Ford and all ministries to ensure Northern communities are included in Ontario’s long-term plans.”
The province says the cabinet changes will support the government’s plan to protect workers and businesses by building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7.
The opposition NDP says Ontario continues to have the largest cabinet in history, doing as little as possible for the people.
