NEW MPP SMITH NAMED TO CABINET TODAY AS MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES, FORESTRY
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — Three weeks after winning his seat — and a day after being sworn in as MPP — Graydon Smith was named Ontario’s minister of natural resources and forestry today.
Premier Doug Ford appointed the Progressive Conservative parliamentarian to cabinet this morning on the steps of Queen’s Park in Toronto.
“What an honour and a thrill as I swore my oath as MPP for the incredible Parry Sound-Muskoka,” Smith tweeted last night. “Thank you to all who helped get me to this point, especially my incredible family. I look forward to working on behalf of everyone in our riding for the next four years!”
Smith will be the riding’s first MPP in cabinet since Liberal Ken Black was made minister of tourism and member responsible for the province’s anti-drug strategy Aug. 2, 1989.
It’s an ironic twist for Smith — who won a tight battle with the Green Party candidate Matt Richter — to be appointed to the ministry closely associated with the environment.
It’s also a bitter sweet posting after retiring MPP Norm Miller, who was in office for more than 20 years, was never appointed to cabinet.
Last year in Bracebridge MuskokaTODAY.com asked the premier why the riding was not represented in cabinet.
Miller winced at the question.
“Good question,” he said, before saying the riding was well represented by Simcoe MPP Jill Dunlop.
Smith, a long-time Tory and former mayor of Bracebridge, has been closely associated with Ford in recent years. The premier made a late campaign stop in the riding during the election to solidify the win for and keep the riding in Tory hands another four years.
So it was telling that Miller did not attend the MPP’s election celebration party when Smith won June 2. He did phone and congratulate him that night, said Smith.
Smith was one of six first-time MPPs, including his nephew Michael Ford who is minister of citizenship and multiculturalism.
Former solicitor general Sylvia Jones replaces the retired Christine Elliott as minister of health and deputy premier.
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop becomes minister of colleges and universities; and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli remains as minister of economic development, job creation and trade.
Controversial MPP Lisa MacLeod was among those demoted from cabinet.
Ford’s cabinet rose by two to 30.
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