Some major changes have been made at Queen’s Park as Premier Doug Ford announced a cabinet shuffle.

The Progressive Conservative government announced the shuffle on Monday morning, which includes eight role changes.

The announcement comes in the wake of the resignation of Jim Wilson as the minister of economic development, job creation and trade. The premier’s office stated his departure on Friday evening citing “addiction issues.”

Progressive Conservative strategist Jamie Ellerton said Wilson’s departure was a chance for the Ontario government to shake things up.

“I think if you look at – I hate to call it an opportunity – but the opportunity the premier had after Jim Wilson’s resignation from cabinet it gave them a chance to recalibrate,” he said. “I think the big message coming out of today’s cabinet shuffle is that this premier means business and expects his cabinet to perform to that standard.”

The changes to the cabinet are as follows:

  • MPP for Bay of Quinte Todd Smith, who has been serving as interim minister of economic development, job creation and trade, will assume full-time responsibility of this role as well as continuing his responsibilities as government house leader
  • MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke John Yakabuski will be minister of natural resources and forestry
  • MPP for Dufferin-Caledon Sylvia Jones will be minister of community safety and correctional services
  • MPP for Elgin-Misslesex-London Jeff Yurek will be minister of transportation
  • MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge Michael Tibollo will be minister of tourism, culture and sport
  • MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound will be minister of government and consumer services
  • MPP for Whitby Lorne Coe will be government caucus whip
  • MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte Doug Downey will be deputy government caucus whip

“After four months of unprecedented action, we are taking this opportunity to calibrate our cabinet assignment to ensure we continue to deliver on our commitments to the people,” Ford said in a news release issued on Monday morning. “We have the best team in politics and a plan that is working.”

According to political analyst Jim Warren, Smith has shown himself to be a star in Ford’s eyes, taking the lead on some files.

“What’s interesting is you see when Toronto city councillors were reduced and all those councillors got put to the side, the superstar of that of course was Todd Smith, who was the house leader and now he’s taken on that role. So it’s interesting to see all these councillors lose their jobs but as a result of Todd Smith doing a great job he got a promotion today,” Warren said.

Before Toronto’s municipal election in October, the Ontario government passed a controversial bill that slashed the size of city council for 47 councillors to 25. At the time Smith said the government was “committed to ending the gridlock and dysfunction down at City Hall, saving taxpayers more than $25 million, and delivering smaller, better government.”

The Official Opposition voiced their concerns about the sudden shuffle during a news conference on Monday.

“Their actions make it abundantly clear that Ford is trying to paper over the problems in his hand-picked cabinet,” NDP deputy leader Sara Singh told reporters. “To remove and demote a number of ministers after just a few months is troubling.”

“I think it makes us wonder, you know, is this government ready to govern and are they ready to do the things that they need to do for Ontario’s families.”

All other roles in the PC cabinet remain unchanged.