Ontario cabinet now consists of 40% women

Monday, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a cabinet shuffle that is meant to integrate some fresh perspective into the Liberal government. Seven new cabinet members were added, including five women.

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed a federal cabinet consisting of equal parts women and men, provincial Liberal governments are under pressure to do the same. Ontario is now closer to that goal, with women making up 40 per cent of the cabinet and 50 per cent of the Priorities, Delivery and Growth Committee, which is responsible for steering Ontario’s economic plan.

Some of the highlights of the cabinet shuffle include: Deborah Matthews, who will be remaining Deputy Premier and who was also appointed the new responsibility of Minister for Digital Governance. Laura Albanese is now Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Indira Naidoo-Harris is Associate Minister of Finance.

Luckily, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Glen Murray, was given an opportunity to implement the climate change plan he spent the last year putting together. Other ministers who will be staying in the same position include Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance and Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation.

Strangely enough, Ted McMeekin’s position as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has been taken over by Bill Mauro, former Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Last week, McMeekin made a statement saying that he would be stepping down from his position to make room for more women in the cabinet. Imagine my surprise when his job was instead given to a man.

There are a lot of qualified women on the roster. Here is a list of the new Ontario cabinet:

Kathleen Wynne: Premier and President of the Council Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Deborah Matthews: Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Cabinet Minister Responsible for Digital Government.
Michael Gravelle: Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
Brad Duguid: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.
Jeff Leal: Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
David Orazietti: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Liz Sandals: President of the Treasury Board.
David Zimmer: Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Michael Chan: Minister of International Trade.
Reza Moridi: Minister of Research, Innovation and Science.
Yasir Naqvi: Attorney General, Government House Leader.
Charles Sousa: Minister of Finance.
Eric Hoskins: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
Glen Murray: Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
Bob Chiarelli: Minister of Infrastructure.
Michael Coteau: Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism.
Tracy MacCharles: Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, Minister Responsible for Accessibility.
Kevin Flynn: Minister of Labour.
William Mauro: Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Helena Jaczek: Minister of Community and Social Services.
Dipika Damerla: Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs.
Steven Del Duca: Minister of Transportation.
Mitzie Hunter: Minister of Education.
Laura Albanese: Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Christopher Ballard: Minister of Housing Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy
Marie-France Lalonde: Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
Kathryn McGarry: Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Eleanor McMahon: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Indira Naidoo-Harris: Associate Minister of Finance (Ontario Retirement Pension Plan).
Glenn Thibeault: Minister of Energy.