Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

TORONTO — There was good and bad news for Graydon Smith as he was again sworn in to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s new cabinet this afternoon.

The Parry Sound-Muskoka PC, who will soon be sworn in as MPP, remains in cabinet albeit attached to another ministry, but in a lesser role.

After his first term as minister of the ministry of natural resources and forestry, he is now Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. He will work alongside Minister Rob Flack. Both were first elected in 2022.

While not a full minister, his is neither a full demotion as he will still be in cabinet and have a say at the cabinet table.

This after Smith improved his vote lead over worthy challenger Matt Richter in the provincial election.

His was almost alone among significant changes to the three dozen who will run the province in a tense time of trades and tariffs.

While Prime Minister Mark Carney pared down his federal cabinet of a similar size by a dozen ministers, for Ford it was pretty much status quo.

Smith’s changing role may have a silver lining — or not.

Depending how Canada’s next election plays out possibly next month the former Bracebridge mayor may be in a better position to help this riding.

A big if, mind you, if a tightening federal election sees a return of a Liberal government.

Smith’s friend and former Huntsville mayor Tory MP Scott Aitchison has his eye on a housing role in the cabinet of leader Pierre Poilievre if he forms the next Conservative government.

Aitchison ran for his party’s leadership on a platform with a strong emphasis on housing.

A lot of ifs, but the friendship of Smith and Aitchison could benefit not only Ontario but both their own riding.

That’s all at least a month or more away.

In the meantime Smith will also be sworn in as a second-term MPP before the legislature resumes April 14.

He was replaced as head of the MNRF by former premier Mike Harris’s son, Mike Harris Jr.

Richter had criticized Smith for his record as minister at the height of forest fires, for which he was chastised by the Ombudsman.

Another notable area change in cabinet seats is Simcoe-North MPP Jill Dunlop who leaves education to become Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

She was replaced by Paul Calandra in the schools file. He was the former municipal and housing minister.

Deputy premier Sylvia Smith stays on in health and Stephen Lecce in the key ministry of energy and mines.

Ford said in release announcing his cabinet that stuck with an “experienced team that will deliver on the government’s mandate to do whatever is necessary to protect Ontario in the face of tariffs from the United States, while building a stronger, more competitive and resilient economy.

“As Ontario faces one of the greatest challenges in our history, workers and families are counting on us to stand up for their jobs and wellbeing,” he said at the swearing in at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

“Our government will double down on our plan to build, train and reskill workers for better jobs and bigger paycheques, tear down internal trade barriers, retool companies for new customers in new markets, attract more investments and cut through red tape to develop our vast natural resources, including critical minerals in the Ring of Fire.

“No matter what, we will protect Ontario.”

Ontario cabinet 2025:

1. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
2. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
3. Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
4. Doug Downey, Attorney General
5. Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
6. Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
7. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
8. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
9. Paul Calandra, Minister of Education
10. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response
11. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines
12. Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
13. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance
14. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and the Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships
15. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure
16. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
17. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care
18. Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
19. Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources
20. George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth
21. Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
22. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction
23. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs
24. Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility
25. Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General
26. Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport
27. Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
28. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation
29. Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs
30. Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General, as part of the Ministry of the Attorney General
31. Zee Hamid, Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, as part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General
32. Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, as part of the Ministry of Energy and Mines
33. Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources
34. Graydon Smith, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
35. Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, as part of the Ministry of Health
36. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, as part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
37. Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, as part of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

• The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will now have responsibility over conservation authorities
• The Minister of Energy and Mines and the Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries will now have responsibility over broadband expansion and connectivity

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