Mississauga MPP named one of Premier’s new cabinet ministers

Mississauga East-Cooksville MPP Kaleed Rasheed has been named to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s new cabinet, unveiled this morning (June 24) at Queen’s Park.

Rasheed, one of six Mississauga MPPs who kept their seats in the June 2 provincial election as part of another Conservative sweep of the city, was tapped by Ford for the minister of public and business service delivery portfolio.

None of Mississauga’s MPPs served in Ford’s cabinet during the previous term.

Ford, who increased his inner circle from 28 to 30 members (including himself) at today’s swearing-in ceremony, didn’t make many big changes.

Among the most notable, though, was Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones being named minister of health.

Jones, who was the solicitor general in Ford’s previous government, takes over the health portfolio from Christine Elliott, who did not seek re-election after serving in the role for more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mississauga Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri will still serve as associate minister of small business and red tape reduction, in addition to her role representing her Mississauga riding.

The other Mississauga MPPs are Deepak Anand (Mississauga Malton), Rudy Cuzzetto (Mississauga Lakeshore), Natalia Kusendova (Mississauga Centre) and Sheref Sabawy (Mississauga Erin Mills).

Ontario-wide, several key portfolios will see the same MPPs return as ministers: Peter Bethlenfalvy (finance), Stephen Lecce (education), Caroline Mulroney (transportation), Paul Calandra (long-term care), Steve Clark (municipal affairs and housing) and Doug Downey (attorney general).

The Conservatives won 83 out of the legislature’s 124 seats in the election earlier this month, providing Ford with dozens of potential cabinet picks.

Congrats to all members of Premier @FordNation’s cabinet, including #Mississauga MPP @krasheedmpp, on his new role as Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. #Mississauga looks forward to working with you to advance our key priorities at Queen's Park. #onpoli

— Bonnie Crombie 🇨🇦 (@BonnieCrombie) June 24, 2022