Ford announces new economic recovery committee

TORONTO — The Ontario government has launched a new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee with the mandate to identify ways to revive the province’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.  

“While our government battles this virus, members of our new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee will roll up their sleeves and develop a roadmap to a stronger, more prosperous economy,” said Premier Doug Ford in announcing the new committee April 9.   

The committee will be asked to develop an action plan in consultation with business associations, chambers of commerce, municipal leaders, corporate leaders, small business owners and entrepreneurs, a release said.  

“While we focus our energy and resources on defeating COVID-19, today’s job numbers highlight why we also need to plan for an economic recovery,” said Rod Phillips, minister of finance. “Our first order of business is to prepare for the next phase of Ontario’s Action Plan, which will be ready to launch as soon as COVID-19 is contained. 

“This team will get our economy moving again ― with a focus on job creation, opportunities for growth, and protecting our province from future threats.” 

Monthly jobs numbers released by Statistics Canada earlier on April 9 showed a 402,800 decrease in employment in Ontario. 

The membership of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee includes:  

• Rod Phillips, Chair, Minister of Finance 
• Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development,Job Creation and Trade  
• Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board 
• Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation 
• Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health 
• Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 
• Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs 
• John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry 
• Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure 
• Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries 
• Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services 
• Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development 
• Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.