Attorney General Chris Bentley will become Ontario's energy minister and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will be the new deputy premier, as Premier Dalton McGuinty released the names of his slimmed-down cabinet on Wednesday evening.
With 22 members, down from 28, this is the smallest cabinet since 1988. McGuinty had promised a smaller cabinet after losing four ministers in the election and falling to 53 seats from 72.
A government source told CTV's Paul Bliss that the cabinet has the experience Ontario needs during an uncertain global economy.
"It's a strong, steady group that's focused on jobs and economy growth," the source said.
McGuinty's new cabinet:
• Ted McMeekin, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• John Gerretsen, Attorney General
• Eric Hoskins, Children and Youth Services
• Charles Sousa, Citizenship and Immigration
• Madeleine Meilleur, Community Safety and Correctional Services, Francophone Affairs
• John Milloy, house leader, Community and Social Services
• Margarett Best, Consumer Services
• Brad Duguid, Economic Development and Innovaton
• Laurel Broton, Education, Women's Issues
• Jim Bradley, Environment
• Harinder Takhar, Government Services
• Deb Matthews, Health
• Linda Jeffrey, Labour, Seniors
• Kathleen Wynne, Municipal Affairs, Housing, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
• Michael Gravelle, Natural Resources
• Rick Bartolucci, chair of cabinet, Northern Development and Mines
• Michael Chan, Tourism and Culture
• Glen Murray, Training, Colleges and Universities
• Bob Chiarelli, Transportation, Ministry of Infrastructure
The Liberals still need to nominate candidates for the role of Speaker, who acts as the legislature's political referee during question period. The Speaker must be chosen before the legislature can return with a throne speech.
McGuinty officially unveils his new cabinet on Thursday.
With files from CTV's Paul Bliss and The Canadian Press
