A local politician has been given a new role at Queen’s Park as the provincial government positions itself for Canada’s trade war with the United States.
Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones was named the new Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development on Thursday as Premier Doug Ford made several changes to his cabinet. Jones previously served as the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, a role he has held since March 2025.
The Labour Ministry was formally helmed by Northumberland–Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, who has since been named the new Minister of Infrastructure.
Piccini has been under investigation by Ontario’s integrity commissioner since December 2025 following an auditor general report that raised questions about his handling of the $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund.
Ford’s cabinet announcement on Thursday included several other changes to provincial ministries. Sam Oosterhoff will lead the Agriculture Ministry in place of Jones, Kinga Surma is now the Treasury Board president, Brian Saunderson is the new Minister of Sport, and Zee Hamid was named Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
The position of Associate Minister of Artificial Intelligence Adoption has also been created, with Vijay Thanigasalam leading that portfolio. The Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform position has been eliminated.