Michael Ford, Secretary of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, shook hands with Prime Minister Doug at the swearing-in ceremony at Queen’s Park, Toronto, on June 24. Nathan Denette / CP
Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford defended his decision Monday to appoint his nephew as minister of citizenship and multiculturalism, saying the newly elected lawmaker had spent years representing one of the province’s most diverse communities.
Ford was asked about the appointment on Monday, the first time he has answered questions since unveiling his new 30-member cabinet last week.
The prime minister said his nephew Michael Ford had “extensive experience”, having previously served on the Toronto City Council and as a school trustee.
“I think he will do an extremely good job,” Doug Ford said Monday. “He has a lot of knowledge and is an elected official, probably more than 60 percent of our assembly.”
He noted that the department his nephew represents on the city council, Etobicoke North, is “probably one of the most multicultural areas in the whole province”.
Torrey, who worked with Michael Ford when he was on the council and appointed him to the police board at the time, described him as “thoughtful” and “hardworking.”
“He understands his community like everyone else, and it’s one of the most multicultural communities in all of Toronto, if not all of Canada,” he said. “So give him a chance.”
The cabinet unveiled on Friday has many ministers in the same roles they played in Ford’s last government, including in key files such as housing and education.
Among the changes was the appointment of former Attorney General Sylvia Jones as deputy prime minister and health minister.
In addition to Michael Ford, there were several new faces, including Michael Kerzner, a biosciences and technology entrepreneur elected at the York Center as Attorney General, and Graden Smith, a former mayor of Bracebridge, Ont., Who will serve as Secretary of Natural Resources. and forestry.
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