Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Business

Ontario premier Ford vows to rebuild economy, unveils new Cabinet

Ontario Premier Doug Ford gestures at his Ontario PC Party provincial election night watch party at the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Doug Ford took the oath of office for a second term as the premier of Canada's most populous province on Friday with a promise to build highways and homes, and rebuild Ontario's economy.

Ford's right-leaning Progressive Conservatives returned to power with a sweeping victory in a provincial election on June 2, winning 83 seats in the 124-seat legislature.

He unveiled a larger 30-member Cabinet, moving former solicitor general Sylvia Jones to role of minister of health and deputy premier, while keeping Peter Bethlenfalvy in post as the debt-laden province's finance minister.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford gestures at his Ontario PC Party provincial election night watch party at the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Ford said he had an "ambitious plan" for his second stint, as his government faced challenges posed by inflation rates hitting a nearly 40-year high in Canada.

"That plan starts with rebuilding Ontario's economy," Ford said at his swearing-in ceremony.

He reiterated pledges made in the lead-up to the election, including new spending on highways, transit and the auto sector.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford embraces a supporter at his Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) Party provincial election night watch party at the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

"We're investing to connect every part of our auto supply chain ... the cars of the future will be built right here, Ontario, from start to finish," Ford said.

Ontario, home to just under 40% of Canada's 38.2 million people, is Canada's manufacturing heartland. It is also one of the world's largest sub-sovereign borrowers, with publicly held debt in excess of C$400 billion ($309.6 billion).

Ford also pledged to address soaring home prices in the province by building more affordable housing.

Canada's national housing agency projects Ontario to be one of the worst affected by a housing shortage over the next decade. Provincial capital Toronto is already one of the most expensive cities to live in globally.

"Too many families are frozen out of the housing market ... we need to build more attainable homes," Ford said.

(This story refiles to fix typo in headline)

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.