Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a significant cabinet shuffle on September 10, 2026, moving nine members of his front bench in what his office described as a strategic response to the ongoing trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. The Ontario cabinet shuffle includes a new Treasury Board president, shifts in key economic portfolios, and the creation of a new role focused on artificial intelligence adoption.
Ford Addresses Tariff Strategy
Speaking to media at Queen’s Park, the Premier emphasized that these changes align with Ontario’s plan to combat American tariffs. Ford stated he has been working throughout the summer without taking a break, focusing entirely on the trade dispute.
“This is a good team for our plan to fight the tariffs, fight President Trump, and we’ve seen a lot of action over the last few weeks. I’m 100 per cent zoned in on the tariffs and on President Trump.”
The Premier also confirmed he recently spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney about Canada’s broader strategy in response to the escalating trade war. This coordination between provincial and federal leadership signals a unified approach to protecting Canadian economic interests.
Treasury Board Gets New Leader
One of the most significant appointments in this Ontario cabinet reshuffle involves Kinga Surma, who moves from her role as infrastructure minister to become the new Treasury Board President. This is considered one of the most important economic portfolios in the provincial government.
Surma replaces Caroline Mulroney, who resigned from both her ministerial position and her seat as MPP in June. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy had temporarily assumed Mulroney’s cabinet duties and will continue to retain his finance portfolio.
The Treasury Board President role carries significant weight in shaping Ontario’s fiscal policy and government spending priorities, making this appointment particularly crucial during the current economic tensions with the United States.
Labour Minister Under Ethics Probe Moves Portfolios
David Piccini, who served as labour minister, has been reassigned to take over the infrastructure file. This move comes while Piccini faces an ongoing ethics investigation from Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell.
The investigation centers on whether Piccini contravened any laws in his handling of a controversial $2.5-billion skills training fund. The commissioner’s report has not yet been released to the public.
Despite the ongoing probe, Piccini’s new role remains high-profile within the Ford cabinet. The Premier defended the portfolio change as a “natural move” from labour, noting that Piccini oversaw the training of tens of thousands of workers in his previous position.
New Faces in Key Positions
Trevor Jones, who previously served as agriculture minister, takes on the expanded role of Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. This portfolio is particularly significant for immigrants and newcomers to Ontario seeking employment opportunities and skills certification.
Sam Oosterhoff, formerly the associate minister of energy, moves to become the new Agriculture Minister. This shift in responsibilities reflects the government’s approach to balancing experience across different sectors.
Two-term MPP Brian Saunderson, a former Olympian, has been elevated to Sport Minister. He replaces Neil Lumsden, who announced his resignation from politics earlier this summer. Saunderson’s athletic background brings relevant experience to this cultural portfolio.
Tourism Portfolio Changes Hands
Zee Hamid, who previously served as associate minister of auto theft and bail reform, becomes the new Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. The government announced that Hamid’s mandate on bail reform “has been fulfilled,” clearing the way for this transition.
Hamid takes over from Toronto MPP Stan Cho, who resigned from Ford’s cabinet in July following revelations that he billed thousands of dollars in local hotel stays in recent years. The tourism portfolio is critical for Ontario’s economic recovery and international visitor attraction efforts.
This appointment affects the hospitality and entertainment sectors, which employ many members of the Latin community across Ontario’s major cities.
New AI-Focused Role Created
In a forward-looking move, Vijay Thanigasalam takes on the newly created role of associate minister of artificial intelligence adoption. This position falls under the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
The government stated this role is being created “to ensure Ontario remains at the forefront of responsible AI adoption.” This signals the province’s intention to position itself competitively in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
For professionals in Ontario’s tech industry, including many immigrants with technology backgrounds, this new ministerial focus could influence future policies on AI development, training programs, and industry regulations.
Energy Sector Gets Dedicated Minister
Matthew Rae, formerly a parliamentary assistant to the minister of municipal affairs and housing, takes on another new cabinet role as associate minister of energy-intensive industries. This position is part of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
This appointment reflects the government’s attention to Ontario’s industrial base during a period of trade uncertainty with the United States. Energy-intensive industries include manufacturing, mining, and processing sectors that form the backbone of the provincial economy.
Mental Health Portfolio Expands
Toronto MPP Michelle Cooper, who was first elected in February 2025, received a promotion to cabinet as associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Cooper’s rapid rise to a ministerial position indicates the government’s prioritization of mental health services.
This portfolio is particularly relevant for communities across Ontario dealing with ongoing mental health challenges. Access to culturally appropriate mental health services remains a priority for immigrant communities, including Latin Canadians navigating settlement and integration.
What This Means for Ontario Residents
The Ontario cabinet shuffle reflects the Ford government’s priorities heading into a period of economic uncertainty. The emphasis on trade war response, AI adoption, and energy-intensive industries suggests a focus on economic competitiveness and job protection.
For Ontario’s Latin community, several of these portfolios directly affect daily life. The labour, immigration, training and skills development ministry under Trevor Jones will oversee credential recognition and job training programs that many newcomers rely upon.
The tourism and culture portfolio affects the hospitality sector where many community members work, while the new AI focus could create opportunities in Ontario’s growing technology sector.
Who is the new Treasury Board President?
Kinga Surma, formerly the infrastructure minister, has been appointed as Ontario’s new Treasury Board President, replacing Caroline Mulroney who resigned in June 2026.
Why did Doug Ford shuffle his cabinet?
The Premier’s office positioned the shuffle as a response to the trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump, while also addressing vacancies created by recent ministerial resignations.
What new cabinet roles were created?
Two new roles were created: associate minister of artificial intelligence adoption held by Vijay Thanigasalam, and associate minister of energy-intensive industries held by Matthew Rae.
Earlier on September 10, 2026, Premier Ford spoke at a Toronto Regional Board of Trade event where he discussed plans to expand business eligibility for certain programs. The Ontario legislature will reconvene with this new cabinet configuration, and the integrity commissioner’s report on David Piccini’s ethics investigation remains pending with no announced release date.
