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Plan To Strengthen Education, Health And Prosperity Of Ontarians
Reflected In New Responsibilities
QUEEN'S PARK, ON, June 29 /CNW/ - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has
enhanced his Cabinet as the government further strengthens the education,
health and prosperity of Ontario's people.
"We have made real progress for families and businesses as we approach
the midway point of our mandate," Premier McGuinty said today.
"Today, we take the next step by improving Cabinet's structure so we can
do even more to help Ontarians meet the challenges and seize the opportunities
of the 21st century."
Each of the changes announced today reflects the Premier's values and his
government's plan for Ontario.
Building the best-educated, healthiest and most highly skilled workforce
will continue to strengthen Ontario in an era of global competition. With
class sizes getting smaller and test scores for reading, writing and math
going up, Gerard Kennedy will continue to build on this success as Minister of
Education.
Ontario is committed to lifelong learning, which begins with ensuring our
children get the best start in life. Mary Anne Chambers assumes responsibility
for Children and Youth Services.
The centrepiece of the successful spring budget is "Reaching Higher", the
McGuinty Plan to improve the quality, accessibility and accountability of our
universities, colleges and training programs, by investing $6.2 billion over
the next five years. Chris Bentley will implement that plan as the Minister of
Training, Colleges and Universities.
Our greatest asset is our people because, in the knowledge-based economy
of the 21st century, the most valuable commodity is a new idea - one that
creates investment and jobs.
In addition to serving as President of the Executive Council, Premier
McGuinty will lead the newly created Ministry of Research and Innovation,
which signals the importance the government puts on ensuring Ontario is
competing and winning in the marketplace of ideas.
In health care, we are making real progress in shortening wait times for
important medical procedures and improving families' access to doctors and
other health professionals through family health teams. George Smitherman will
continue to build on this foundation as the Minister of Health and Long-Term
Care.
At the same time, the government is doing more to keep people healthy.
Jim Watson becomes Minister of Health Promotion, marking the first time
Ontario has dedicated a portfolio to promoting healthy living and illness
prevention.
Health is a core priority for the government. Cleaning up the air we
breathe and protecting the water we drink is critical to our people's health.
Laurel Broten joins Cabinet as Minister of the Environment.
Government must improve its own services to the public while living
within its means. With that goal in mind, Gerry Phillips heads the new
Ministry of Government Services, which combines elements of the former
Management Board Secretariat and the former Ministry of Consumer and Business
Services. His responsibilities include modernizing front-line services through
Service Ontario, ensuring Ontarians can access those services through a
"single window" (instead of having to know which ministry is responsible),
human resources management and improving internal government operations in
order to meet the government's target of $750 million in savings. He will also
be responsible for business registration and consumer protection.
The 2005 Budget, which features strategic investments in health,
education and prosperity, while reporting that the deficit has been cut in
half, is one of the most well-received in the province's history. Greg Sorbara
will continue to build on this success as Finance Minister.
Joe Cordiano has championed the renaissance of Ontario's critically
important auto sector, attracting billions of dollars in new investment from
the world's major automakers and the thousands of jobs that come with that
investment. As Minister of Economic Development and Trade, he will work to
secure new opportunities in other key sectors, including biotech, to seek
trade with and investment in the world's emerging economies, such as China and
India, and to develop a new branding and marketing strategy for Ontario.
Ontario's diversity is a tremendous source of strength. Our people speak
every language and understand every culture, enriching our society and
positioning us to seize trade opportunities in the world's fastest-growing
economies.
David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Deputy House
Leader, is responsible for implementing the government's five-year
infrastructure plan through a new and enhanced agency. He also takes on the
job of managing government assets, which includes responsibility for the
Ontario Realty Corporation, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the
Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
Mike Colle enters Cabinet to lead the Ministry of Citizenship and
Immigration. His job is to ensure Ontario leads the international competition
for the world's best and brightest knowledge workers and does all it can to
settle new Canadians and integrate them into Ontario's society and economy.
The ministry now assumes responsibilities for English-as-a-Second-Language
training for adults and bridge training for internationally trained
professionals and tradespeople.
Our seniors, who have done so much to build this province, deserve high-
quality public services, even though demands for those services are expected
to grow as our population ages. Jim Bradley, who remains Minister of Tourism,
also takes on responsibility for Seniors.
As Attorney General, Michael Bryant is charged with the responsibility of
strengthening the justice sector by ensuring it's tough and fair and holds
people responsible for their actions while focusing on prevention. He will
work with Monte Kwinter, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional
Services, to ensure the sector is modern, efficient and effective. Kwinter is
also responsible for the commitment to deliver 1,000 new police officers.
Ontario is the heart of Canada, and Canada works best when Ontario is
strong and its relationship with the federal government and other provinces
and territories is strong. While the Premier remains committed to this work
and the campaign to narrow the $23-billion gap, his term as chair of the
Council of the Federation is coming to an end this summer. He is relinquishing
the Intergovernmental Affairs portfolio to Marie Bountrogianni, who also
assumes responsibility for the Democratic Renewal Secretariat at an important
time when Ontario is about to consider electoral reform.
Ontario's farmers rank amongst the very best in the world. But
international circumstances beyond their control, from BSE to falling
commodity prices, present a significant challenge to our farmers and our rural
communities. The government has responded to these challenges and now prepares
to work with farmers and rural Ontario to modernize the industry. Leona
Dombrowsky heads the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which is
now being added to the powerful Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet,
fulfilling a campaign commitment to make Agriculture a lead ministry.
During the first half of its mandate, the government has improved
assistance for those who rely on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support
programs, while building stronger supports for victims of domestic violence
and cracking down on deadbeat parents. Sandra Pupatello will continue to build
on this success as Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister
Responsible for Women's Issues, while also assuming responsibility for
Ontarians with disabilities, including the implementation of the new
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
The government is proud of the progress it has made in restoring a
balanced approach to labour relations in Ontario. As Minister of Labour, Steve
Peters will build on this progress and lead the passage and implementation of
legislation to end mandatory retirement.
Resource development that respects our environment and our cultural
heritage is critical to the province's growth: David Ramsay takes on the
Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat in addition to his Natural Resources
portfolio.
Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, will
continue to implement the key elements of our Northern Prosperity Plan,
including a revamped Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Northern
Ontario Grow Bonds and the GO North program.
Dwight Duncan, Minister of Energy, House Leader, and Chair of Cabinet
will continue to modernize the energy sector by implementing a responsible
plan to replace coal, introduce smart meters, attract a viable renewables
industry and foster a culture of conservation in Ontario.
Harinder Takhar, who was instrumental along with Minister Gerretsen in
the delivery of gas tax dollars for public transit, remains Minister of
Transportation, responsible for highway and transit improvements and
development of a Greater Toronto Transportation Authority.
Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for
Francophone Affairs, who has strengthened the Ontario Heritage Act and
attracted massive new investment through an enhanced film and television tax
credit, will continue to work with the sector to develop Ontario's
entertainment and creativity cluster.
John Gerretsen, who led the creation of the Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt as
the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, will continue to work with
municipal leaders across Ontario, reform the Ontario Municipal Board and
develop a new City of Toronto Act.
The number of ministers in the Executive Council increases by two for a
total of 25.
Disponible en français
www.premier.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF ONTARIO
--------------------------------
The Honourable
Dalton McGuinty Premier and President of the Council
Minister of Research and Innovation
James Bradley Minister of Tourism
Minister Responsible for Seniors
Monte Kwinter Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services
David James Ramsay Minister of Natural Resources
Minister Responsible for Aboriginal
Affairs
Gregory Sorbara Minister of Finance
Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet
Gerry Phillips Minister of Government Services
Joseph Cordiano Minister of Economic Development and Trade
Rick Bartolucci Minister of Northern Development and Mines
Dwight Douglas Duncan Minister of Energy
Chair of Cabinet
Government House Leader
John Philip Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Gerard Kennedy Minister of Education
Sandra Pupatello Minister of Community and Social Services
Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
David Caplan Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal
Deputy Government House Leader
Dr. Marie Bountrogianni Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for Democratic
Renewal
Michael J. Bryant Attorney General
Leona Dombrowsky Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs
Steve Peters Minister of Labour
George Smitherman Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Christopher Bentley Minister of Training, Colleges and
Universities
Mary Anne V. Chambers Minister of Children and Youth Services
Madeleine Meilleur Minister of Culture
Minister Responsible for Francophone
Affairs
Harinder Jeet Singh Takhar Minister of Transportation
Jim Watson Minister of Health Promotion
Mike Colle Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Laurel C. Broten Minister of the Environment
Anthony Alexander Dean Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the
Executive Council
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For further information: Premier's Media Office, (416) 314-8975
Également disponible en français
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