Two eastern Ontario MPPs get new jobs in cabinet shuffle

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is shuffling his cabinet just months after taking the reins of the province — a move that follows the resignation of one of his key ministers, last week.

Jim Wilson abruptly resigned from cabinet and left the Tory caucus, which Ford's office said he did in order “to seek treatment for addiction issues.”

Wilson stepped down hours after appearing with Ford at a border crossing near Sarnia, Ont., where they unveiled a sign advertising Ontario as “Open for Business.”

In a release issued Monday morning, Ford says Progressive Conservative House Leader and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith will also take on Wilson's vacated cabinet position as minister of economic development, job creation and trade.

Renfrew-Nippissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, who served as transportation minister, now becomes minister of natural resources and forestry. Jeff Yurek, who held the natural resources portfolio, will take on the transportation file.

Other cabinet changes announced:

• Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon, appointed Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
• Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
• Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Government and Consumer Services

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod remains in place as minister of children, community and social services.

The cabinet changes come just over four months after Ford led his party to victory in the spring provincial election.