David Piccini (at podium) makes an announcement at Kaiser Lake Farm - Photo by Emily Chatwood / MBC News
Premier Doug Ford has shuffled several cabinet positions, including moving Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini out of the Labour portfolio.
MSN reports Piccini will now serve as Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure.
The move comes while Piccini remains under investigation by Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner over his handling of the $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund.
Ford has defended both Piccini and the fund and described the cabinet changes as a chance for a fresh start.
Trevor Jones takes over as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Kinga Surma moves from Infrastructure to become President of the Treasury Board, while Sam Oosterhoff becomes Agriculture Minister.
Zee Hamid takes over Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and Brian Saunderson becomes Minister of Sport.
Ford has also created a new associate minister position focused on artificial intelligence adoption, naming Vijay Thanigasalam to the role.
For Northumberland residents, the shuffle keeps their local MPP at the cabinet table, but places Piccini in charge of major provincial infrastructure projects.
The Integrity Commissioner investigation remains ongoing.
