Ontario labour minister leaving government for private sector, Ford shuffles cabinet

Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton is leaving the Progressive Conservative caucus to take a job in the private sector leading Premier Doug Ford to shuffle his cabinet after losing a third minister in as many weeks.

In a statement Friday morning,McNaughtonsaid he is stepping down from his cabinet duties "effective immediately," and will be resigning his seat "in the days ahead.

"It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve the people of Ontario as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development for more than four years," McNaughton said.

"I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. It has been a privilege to have represented you since 2011."

In his own statement, Premier Doug Ford said he was grateful for McNaughton'swork,addinghe was a key member of the provincial government.

"He made this decision based on what is best for him and his family at this point in his life and career," Ford said.

McNaughton has been an MPPfor12 years. Much of his work as labour minister focused on addressing the province's labour shortage and encouraging more young people to go into the skilled trades.

Change in period of unrest

He has been a key ally to Ford by drumming up support from private sector unions in the construction industry.

Theresignation comes during a period of turmoil for Ford's government, with McNaughton becoming the third cabinet minister toleave his post in recent weeks.

WATCH |Ford loses a 3rd cabinet minister. What's the political cost for the premier?

Ford loses a 3rd cabinet minister. Whats the political cost for the premier?

12 months ago

Duration 2:07

One day after reversing course on the Greenbelt, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has lost another cabinet minister. Monte McNaughton is the third minister to step down in less than three weeks, but says his move is unrelated to the Greenbelt controversy. CBCs Mike Crawley breaks down the political cost for Ford.

MPPs Steve Clark and Kaleed Rasheed both recently vacated cabinet jobs amid the ongoing Greenbelt controversy.

McNaughton said he knows "recent events" will cause some people to "speculate" about the reasons for his departure.

"I want those people to know that my decision is completely unrelated to those events," he said.

"I'm making this decision because it's the right one for me and my family."

Ford makes changes to cabinet

Provincial officials announced Friday afternoon that Ford was shuffling some members of his cabinet, with these changes:

• David Piccini as minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development.
• Andrea Khanjinasminister ofenvironment, conservation and parks.
• Todd McCarthy as minister of public and business service delivery.
• Vijay Thanigasalamasassociate minister of transportation.

New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles immediately issued a statement of her own on McNaughton'sresignation, saying the Ford government is in "complete and utter disarray," and "fractured after lurching from scandal to scandal.

"We can't have a government that's so entangled in its own messes that it's not helping Ontarians with the very real challenges they're facing," Stiles said.

"People deserve a stable government that sees their frustration with the affordability crisis and how much the housing crisis is hurting them and offers solutions that actually make their lives easier."

At a newsconference, interim Liberal Leader John Fraser wished McNaughton the best and thanked him for his service to Ontario. He said he has known McNaughton for the entirety of his time at the legislature and even though there were times the twodidn't agree, Fraser said healways felt like he could trust him.

"I'm going to miss him," Fraser said."And I'm sure he's not saying this, but he doesn't want to be part of this mess."