Ford shuffles cabinet, loses top adviser
Economic minister resigned
TORONTO • Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet Monday, just months after taking the reins, following the resignation of one of his top ministers.
The move — which saw six ministers reassigned — was announced in a release Monday morning, prompting suggestions from critics that Ford’s government was struggling, and calls for the premier to explain his decision.
The shuffle followed the sudden resignation Friday of Economic Development Minister Jim Wilson who, according to a statement from the premier’s office, stepped down to “seek treatment for addiction issues.”
Wilson stepped down hours after appearing with Ford at a border crossing near Sarnia on Friday where they unveiled a sign advertising Ontario as “Open for Business.”
The Toronto Sun reported Monday that alcohol was the specific problem — and that Wilson is also the subject of an inappropriate conduct complaint from a political staffer. The male complainant alleged an intoxicated Wilson made inappropriate comments and sexual passes toward him, the newspaper reported. Global News carried a similar item, quoting “multiple sources.”
Also Monday, one of Ford’s top advisers, Andrew Kimber, quit after he was accused of sending sexually inappropriate text messages and other content to fellow staffers and party members, the Sun reported, quoting separate sources.
Kimber had been executive director of issues management and legislative affairs in the premier’s office.
Ford’s office did not comment on the allegations against Wilson and Kimber.
The premier also did not give reasons for the cabinet appointments but said: “After four months of unprecedented action, we are taking this opportunity to calibrate our cabinet assignments to ensure we continue to deliver on our commitments to the people.”
Ford said Progressive Conservative House Leader Todd Smith will take on the additional role of minister of economic development, job creation and trade to replace Wilson.
John Yakabuski, who served as transportation minister, will become minister of natural resources and forestry. Jeff Yurek, who held the natural resources portfolio, will take on the transportation file.
Sylvia Jones will take over the job of community safety and correctional services minister from Michael Tibollo, who will become minister of tourism, culture and sport. Tibollo had drawn criticism in his first few months as a cabinet minister, first for comments he made about travelling through a Toronto neighbourhood wearing a bulletproof vest and more recently for a number of lawsuits he’s facing.
Bill Walker will join cabinet by succeeding Smith as minister of government and consumer services.
Some caucus positions are also shifting, with Lorne Coe appointed government caucus whip and Doug Downey deputy whip. Ford said all other ministerial, parliamentary assistant, and government caucus and committee roles will remain unchanged.
Many ministers who have been in the spotlight since the Tories formed government in June, including Health Minister Christine Elliott, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli and Education Minister Lisa Thompson, are staying in their current roles.
Critics voiced concerns about the suddenness of the shuffle, saying Ford needs to provide reasons for making such significant changes so soon into his mandate.
“These actions make it abundantly clear that Ford is trying to paper over the problems in his hand-picked cabinet. To remove and demote a number of ministers after just a few months is troubling,” NDP deputy leader Sara Singh said in a news conference.
That Ford felt the need for such major change so early on does not inspire confidence in his government, said interim Liberal leader John Fraser.
“Premier Ford and his government have not stopped campaigning since the election. They were given a mandate to govern and take care of those things that are important to Ontario families, not to continue campaigning. This shuffle shows they are struggling to make that transition,” Fraser said in a statement.