Hamilton Mountain MPP Monique Taylor (left) was named deputy whip and critic for children, community, and social services. Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas MPP Sandy Shaw (right) was named critic for environment, conservation, and parks. Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath (not pictured) was given the lowly role of ethics and accountability critic, perhaps signalling a near-future departure for municipal politics. Photo credit: Facebook/Monique Taylor and Twitter/Sandy Shaw
Last Wednesday, interim leader of the Ontario NDP and head of the Official Opposition Peter Tabuns named his shadow cabinet.
All 31 of the NDP’s elected members were given a critic role, with many granted multiple areas of oversight.
According to a press release from the party, instead of matching portfolios directly to government ministers, Tabuns assigned members’ critic portfolios “to respond to the needs and concerns of families across Ontario”.
Scarborough Southwest MPP Doly Begum and Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa were named co-deputy leaders. Both are considered potential candidates in the upcoming race to permanently replace Andrea Horwath, who was named critic for ethics and accountability.
There has been considerable speculation that the former leader and long-time representative for Hamilton Centre will step down from her role as MPP to run for mayor of Hamilton. Incumbent Fred Eisenberger recently declared his intention to step away from municipal politics.
Horwath receiving such a minor critic role may indicate she does indeed intend to challenge for the city’s head of council.
Rounding out the leadership team, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch was elected caucus chair by his peers. Peggy Sattler from London West was once again tapped to be the NDP’s house leader, with Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky called on to serve as deputy house leader. John Vanthof, representative for Timiskaming–Cochrane, will again serve as chief whip, while Algoma–Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha and Hamilton Mountain representative Monique Taylor will serve as co-deputy whips.
As co-deputy whip, Taylor, who was also appointed shadow minister for children, community, and social services, will be responsible for helping ensure party discipline among caucus members.
“I am ready to get back to it and continue the fight for our kids, our communities and our critical social services here in Ontario!”, Taylor said on Facebook after the appointment.
MPP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Sandy Shaw, the third and final Hamilton area Ontario NDP representative, was renamed critic for environment, conservation, and parks.
Shaw previously served as the environment critic in the last parliament.
On the other side of the aisle in government, back in June newcomer Neil Lumsden – who ended the PCs’ decades-long drought in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek – was named Premier Ford’s Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture.
While MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook Donna Skelly was selected to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for the 43rd Parliament.
The legislature is scheduled to return August 8, 2022.
