Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford is the province's new minister for Northern Development and Mines, as well as Energy and Indigenous Affairs.
Before re-entering the political arena, Rickford had served on the board of Noront, which is a partner in the Ring of Fire development. Bringing this project online could add significantly to the province's economy, as the deposit is estimated to be worth $60 billion.
During the campaign, Tories introduced a northern platform, which included resources revenue sharing for municipalities, as well as First Nations. This could add secure, annual funding for social programs. It could also assist with self-government plans for First Nations, tribal councils, territorial governments and Indigenous agencies.
A shortage of energy for new development has been identified as an obstacle to growth in the resource sector in the northwest.
The combination of portfolios also reflects the new Tory governments efforts to ease the cost of living on residents by reducing taxes and the size of government.
Rickford had previously served as Natural Resources Minister in Ottawa. He was the MP from 2008 to 2015.
"We have an all-star team that's ready right now to give the people of Ontario the kind of leadership and direction they deserve," said Ford, in a prepared statement. "For too long, the people of Ontario have worked more and paid more, but gotten less. Those days are over. Help is here."
Other appointments include:
The new ministers are as follows:
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
