Toronto, May 23, 2006
Jay Gill
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the mini cabinet
shuffle today at a news conference.
NRI Harinder Takhar, Transportation
Minister, Mississauga Centre MPP takes over
a new small business and entrepreneurship ministry.
According to NRI press, it was clear demotion from
Transportation Minister to new
created small business and entrepreneurship ministry
job but McGuinty denied Takhar's move was a demotion,
noting 40 per cent of jobs in Ontario are in small
business.
Last year, Harinder Takhar
was criticized by the province's integrity commissioner
for visiting his family business, which is in a blind
trust to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest,
and for having an executive of that business act as
chief financial officer of his riding association.
Dwight Duncan, who stepped in when Sorbara was forced
to step down last fall, will return to the energy
portfolio, while Donna Cansfield takes over in Transportation.
She replaces Harinder Takhar. Last week, Sorbara’s
name was removed from search warrants involving the
case, clearing the way for his return to cabinet.
