Ministry added to Bob Chiarelli’s portfolio

Ontario minister of transportation and infrastructure Bob Chiarelli has added the ministry of municipal affairs and housing to his portfolio.

TORONTO

Ontario minister of transportation and infrastructure Bob Chiarelli has added the ministry of municipal affairs and housing to his portfolio.

The announcement by Premier Dalton McGuinty came after Kathleen Wynne announced her resignation — a prerequisite for running for the provincial leadership.

McGuinty shocked Ontario on Oct. 17 when he announced his resignation and prorogued the legislature.

Energy minister Chris Bentley will now lead the aboriginal affairs ministry as well.

“I want to thank Kathleen Wynne for serving Ontarians in a number of portfolios and for her commitment to public service. Our cabinet remains committed to delivering progress for Ontario families and I thank Minister Chiarelli and Minister Bentley for taking on these added responsibilities,” said McGuinty in a news release.

Wynne was first elected as the MPP for Don Valley West in October 2003, and was re-elected to a third term in October 2011.

She was appointed to cabinet in 2006, where she served as the Minister of Education until 2010, when she became the Minister of Transportation.

Wynne would make history if she won the leadership race, becoming Ontario’s first female and openly gay premier. She has officially tossed her hat into the leadership race as has Glen Murray, former minister of training, colleges and universities, Sandra Pupatello, a former MPP and provincial cabinet minister and Gerard Kennedy, also a former MPP.

DCN NEWS SERVICES