The Ontario government is signifying extra emphasis on housing with the addition of an Associate Minister for the file. Michael Parsa, the member of provincial parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, will take on the role alongside Steve Clark, who stays in place as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Premier Doug Ford’s newly sworn-in 29-member cabinet returns several Ministers to portfolios they represented prior to the June 3 provincial election. In addition to Clark, some of the continuity in key roles includes: Peter Bethlenfalvy as Minister of Finance; Todd Smith as Minister of Energy; Vic Fedeli as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Monte McNaughton as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development; Caroline Mulroney as Minister of Transportation; and David Piccini as Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Of interest to property and facility management, Raymond Cho also remains in the role of Minister of Seniors and Accessibility. Meanwhile, Kinga Surma continues on as Minister of Infrastructure, but now has an expressly stated additional mandate for government real estate. Paul Calandra remains Government House Leader, but adds a new responsibility as Minister of Long-term Care.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Ford declares. “With big challenges ahead, including an uncertain global economic climate, now is the time for unity and working together.”