Sault MPP Ross Romano has not been appointed Prime Minister of Doug Ford’s cabinet for the upcoming meeting of the Ontario legislature, but will play an important role as a major government whip
Although Sault Ste. Marie, a member of the provincial parliament, no longer holds a seat in Queens Park, Ross Romano said he has been appointed chief government whip.
Romano recently served as the province’s minister of government and consumer services under the previous Ontario government. His name was noticeably missing when Prime Minister Doug Ford announced new cabinet ministers and parliamentary assistant posts ahead of the next legislature.
In a telephone interview Thursday, Romano said he had been asked to take the post of chief government whip. Romano will replace Lorne Coe as acting parliamentary assistant to the prime minister.
“There is a bit of an internal debate right now about whether I will have a busier schedule or a lighter schedule,” Romano said. “I am really honored that the Prime Minister considers it good to get me to take this position, and I am happy to help, because that is how we will move forward over the next four years to do so.”
The main government whip has a number of responsibilities in the legislature, including appointing and scheduling committees responsible for disciplinary action against members responsible for allocating seats in Queen’s Park and assisting members in moving individual pieces of legislation, to name a few.
“When you look at the caucus of 83 people, it’s a very large group of people to manage,” Romano said.
One specific aspect of the role that Romano is looking forward to will be to help the 28 new PC members in Ontario acclimatize to their new positions.
“They will need a lot of help in the transition and understand the process. Ultimately, it falls on the main government whip to be able to help these members through this and to work on bringing together 83 members so that we can move forward on our government’s agenda, “Romano said.
He acknowledged that it was a challenge when he was informed of the news that he would not return as a minister, but said that the more he heard about the post of chief government whip, the more he knew he could intervene and help.
“I am extremely excited about this,” Romano said.
Prior to his time in charge of government and consumer services, Romano was minister of colleges and universities in the province.
“After going through the process of being a cabinet minister and realizing how few people in history have ever served as cabinet ministers – just looking at the total number of MPs ever elected in Ontario history is actually a little over a few thousand and when you look at the total number of cabinet members, it is only a few hundred, “said Romano.” It is such a privilege and honor for me to serve in that capacity. “
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