Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard named Ontario's minister of housing

Yorkregion.com
June 13, 2016
By Teresa Latchford

Newmarket-Aurora's Chris Ballard is the fifth York Region MPP in the current provincial cabinet following Monday’s shuffle.

Cabinet increases from 27 to 30 members, with 10 ministers taking on new roles and seven new faces.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne described the new cabinet as a strong team focused on creating economic growth and good jobs.

“These ministers bring experience, energy, fresh ideas and diversity to the cabinet table,” Wynne said. “Over the next two years, this is the team that will implement our four-part economic plan to deliver on our No. 1 priority: jobs and growth.”

Ballard and six other new ministers were sworn in together on the grand staircase at Queen’s Park earlier today and then headed into their first meeting.

Only two years into his first term as MPP, Ballard, the new minister of housing and minister responsible for the poverty reduction strategy, said he is both honoured and excited to take what he has been working on since elected to the next level.

“Social housing and poverty go hand-in-hand and I am honoured that the premier has the faith in me to make change,” Ballard said. “It didn’t take me long to say 'yes' to the opportunity when the premier called to discuss it.”

In his new role, he will be tasked with negotiating with the federal government to ensure Ontario receives its share of funding for social housing.

As for having five ministers from York Region in the cabinet, Ballard feels that it will only benefit the region to have five strong voices around the table when discussing issues that also impact York Region, especially when it comes to affordable housing.

Tomorrow and into next week he will begin briefing sessions with the deputy minister to ensure he is up to speed on where the current policies stand and where they need to go.

“I fully intend to hit the ground running,” he said.

York Region MPPs now hold five of the 30 cabinet positions:

• Chris Ballard, Newmarket-Aurora, Minister of Housing and minister responsible for the poverty reduction strategy;
• Reza Moridi, Richmond Hill, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science;
• Michael Chan, Markham-Unionville, Minister of International Trade;
• Helena Jaczek, Oak Ridges-Markham, Minister of Community and Social Services; and
• Steven Del Duca, Vaughan, Minister of Transportation.