Wynne shuffles cabinet as Glen Murray leaves for Pembina Institute
TORONTO — Ontario’s premier had to shuffle a few members of her cabinet Monday as her environment minister announced his resignation, a move she insisted should not be interpreted as evidence of declining Liberal fortunes.
Environment Minister Glen Murray, who implemented Ontario’s ambitious cap-and trade program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, said he is leaving his cabinet position immediately to become executive director of the Pembina Institute, an environmental think tank, effective Sept. 5. He will resign his Toronto Centre seat on Sept. 1.
Chris Ballard, who had been serving as Ontario’s housing minister, was made environment minister, and former Toronto councillor Peter Milczyn was promoted to cabinet to take over at housing.
Murray’s announcement came as a surprise, as he had indicated just months ago that he would run again in next year’s provincial election.