Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance campaigned as a Liberal in the last election, but he didn't waste any time in offering his best wishes, after Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford was named to Doug Ford's Tory cabinet at Queen's Park.
"From the northwestern Ontario perspective, Mr. Rickford -- congratulations to him -- he's taking on what was once three ministries. That could be a positive for the northwest. He has an understanding of our needs. It could be very beneficial at the cabinet table," he said.
Rickford takes over Northern Development and Mines, along with Energy and Indigenous Affairs.
Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says councils across the northwest are ready to do business with the new government at Queen's Park.
"We will be sending the same message as we sent to the old government. We don't come to you with problems. We come to you with solutions," he said.
Mayors will be meeting with the new members of cabinet in August. At that time, they'll find out more about resource revenue sharing for municipalities and First Nations, as well as plans for housing and social services.
Other appointments include:
Peter Bethlenfalvy - President of the Treasury Board
Raymond Cho - Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
Steve Clark - Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Christine Elliott - Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Deputy Premier
Victor Fedeli - Minister of Finance and Chair of Cabinet
Doug Ford - Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Merrilee Fullerton - Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ernie Hardeman - Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Sylvia Jones - Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Lisa MacLeod - Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
Monte McNaughton - Minister of Infrastructure
Caroline Mulroney - Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
Rod Phillips - Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Greg Rickford - Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Laurie Scott - Minister of Labour Todd Smith - Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and Government House Leader
Lisa Thompson - Minister of Education
Michael Tibollo - Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Jim Wilson - Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
John Yakabuski - Minister of Transportation
Jeff Yurek - Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
