Statement by Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and MPP for Dufferin-Caledon

Ontario’s Solicitor General and MPP for Dufferin-Caledon issued the following statement:

“After a full year in government, Premier Ford announced changes to cabinet to build on the priorities for the people of Ontario for the year ahead. We added some fantastic new talent around the table that will be bring new leadership and steady hands.

I am pleased to continue in my role as Ontario’s Solicitor General. I would like to congratulate Prabmeet Sarkaria, my Parliamentary Assistant, for his new role as Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. I would also like to thank Caroline Mulroney in her role as Attorney General for her collaboration on justice sector files and I look forward to continuing our work together as she begins her new role as Minister of Transportation. Doug Downey will become the new Attorney General, and I will continue to work closely with him to modernize the justice sector.

Ontario’s financial situation has put our essential services, like community safety, at risk. With these cabinet changes, our goal to protect what matters most won’t change and ensuring the safety and security of the people will continue to be government’s most fundamental responsibility. That’s why we’re committed to providing our frontline heroes — including police, firefighters and correctional service staff – with the necessary tools and resources they need to keep Ontario’s communities safe.

We are making changes in the justice sector that will keep our streets safe, put the victims at the center of the justice system, and hold criminals accountable for their actions. Whether it’s investing in mental health supports for provincial police officers and correctional services staff or fighting gun and gang violence, we are putting people first.

Our goals for the people don’t change. We will continue to create good creating good jobs, support small businesses, putting more money in people’s pockets and restoring trust and accountability in government, while also protecting what matters most through sound investments in healthcare and education. The past year in government saw 20 pieces of legislation passed in 117 days, through four sittings of the Legislature. To date, 85 per cent of the total commitments the government made to the people of Ontario have been completed or put into action. The Premier and our new cabinet will continue to draw on the collective skills of our 73-member caucus in order to effectively serve the people of Ontario.”