Parliamentary Assistants Take On New Challenges

Several Ontario MPPs are getting new portfolios with mandates to help create jobs and strengthen the Ontario economy.

Parliamentary assistants work with ministers to carry out the government's agenda. They are often assigned special projects and develop policy proposals for the government. In the Legislature, they often represent their ministers during debate on government bills.

Cabinet made the following changes to the ranks of parliamentary assistants:

• Sophia Aggelonitis becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade (Small Business)

• Mike Brown becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry

• Jim Brownell becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Consumer Services

• Bob Delaney becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism

• Kevin Flynn becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

• Helena Jaczek becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment

• Rick Johnson becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

• Monte Kwinter becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade (Investment Attraction and Trade)

• Jean-Marc Lalonde becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Promotion

• Bill Mauro becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Government Services

• Carol Mitchell becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Health)

• Reza Moridi becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Research and Innovation

• David Orazietti becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources

• Leeanna Pendergast becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education
  

• Lou Rinaldi becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Municipal Affairs)

• Charles Sousa becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade (Economic Development)

• Maria C.J. Van Bommel becomes Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children and Youth Services and to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues