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HomeNewsFedeli's finance ministry closed for business

Fedeli’s finance ministry closed for business

Once seen as Doug Ford’s right-hand man, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli has been demoted.

In a shuffle announced today, Fedeli was removed as finance minister and will serve as the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade in Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet.

Just two months ago, Ford and other members of the government donned yellow ties and scarves in support of Fedeli’s first budget and the Nipissing MPP recently touted the government’s achievements through one year.

In recent party history, Fedeli has served as interim leader, weathered an attack by ousted leader Patrick Brown, and was a contender in the party leadership race eventually won by Ford. Fedeli stepped down from that race and then backed Christine Elliott, who became deputy premier and the health minister in Ford’s original cabinet.

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Minister Rod Phillips, who formerly had the environment portfolio, will take over in finance after criticism of funding cuts said to be buried in Fedeli’s April budget.

The realignment of ministers comes as Ford’s approval rating dips and the Ontario PC government lurches past the one-year post. The Ford regime has been met with protests, most recently in Sudbury by opponents of cuts to autism care.

In their first year in office, under a slogan of “Open for Business,” the Tories have endorsed various projects relating to alcohol consumption and sales, from tailgating to retail hours to retail locations, and buck-a-beer.

Faced with a daunting deficit and a heavy debt load, this government has also pushed ahead with changes to the province’s logo, new licence plate slogans, and have cancelled some user fees for hunting and fishing while promising to end hallway healthcare.

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