Yasir Naqvi appointed Ontario's AG as Kathleen Wynne shuffles cabinet

Ottawa remains represented by three MPPs at the provincial cabinet table followingthis morning's shuffle at Queen's Park, withBob Chiarelliand Yasir Naqvi taking on new roles andMarie-France LalondeofOttawa-Orlansassuming one of the posts vacated by Madeleine Meilleur.

• Kathleen Wynne's shuffled cabinet features 40% women
• Ottawa-Vanier MPP,Ontario Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur resigns
• Premier's office mum on 'new blood' in cabinet ahead of Monday shuffle

Naqvibecomes attorney general, responsible for Ontario'sjustice system.

"That's generally seen to be a promotion," said JonathanMalloy, an associate professor in Carleton University's political science department.

"Attorney general is considered to be a high-profile and important file in the cabinet.Mr. Naqviobviously has some real standing in the party," said Malloy.

Naqvi leaves community safety and correctional services, where he was overseeing changes to policing and was promising to follow up on recommendations to improve conditions at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.

Chiarellito infrastructure, again

BobChiarellileaves the energy portfolio toSudbury's GlennThibeault, and movestoinfrastructure a fileChiarellioversawfrom 2010 to 2013.

Reporters questioned Premier KathleenWynneover herdecision to moveChiarelli, who hadbeen managingcrisessuch as the gas plant scandal and hydro rate increases.

"He istough, he is tough," the premier admitted. "He's done amazing work."

Wynnecalled the infrastructure file "critical" to her plan to create jobs in Ontario and to grow the economy.

"We've made changes to bring experience into ministries that will help with that focus," Wynne said.

Ottawa-Orlans MPP gets 1st cabinet post

Marie-France Lalonde, who was elected to representOttawa-Orlans in 2014, said she's excited and honouredto be given bothgovernment and consumer services, as well asfrancophoneaffairs.

She helped championfrancophone issues for the last two years asMeilleur'sparliamentary assistant.

The restof Lalonde'sfile is broad, making her responsible for everything from Service Ontario to Ontario's travel regulator, the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. She will also be briefed in the next two days on payday loans and upstart economic forcessuch as Uber and Airbnb.

"We are a ministry that oversees the procurement of the government also, so I'm looking forward to bringing that business sense within that ministry," saidLalonde,who co-owned and ranthePortobelloseniors' residence in Orlans and wastrained in social work.

North Grenvillemayor David Gordon had been lobbying Lalonde's predecessor overareview of the decisionto close Service Ontario locations, including the one in Kemptville. He's nowkeen to meetLalonde.

Gordon had another reason to keep a close eye on today'scabinet shuffle:the future of the former agricultural college in Kemptville.

Gordon said he was pleased that Jeff Leal and Glen Murray retained their respective agriculture and environment files because he didn't want to see negotiations to turn the college into a community hub delayed by having to bring new ministers up to speed.