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Ontario Cabinet shuffle sees appointment of new minister of research and innovation

On Wednesday June 23, 2009, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty gave his cabinet a slight makeover.

Part of the cabinet shuffle, involved the appointment of the Hon. John Milloy as Ontario's new Minister of Research and Innovation, while after two years of valuable service as Minister, the Hon. John Wilkinson was named Ontario's new revenue minister.

First elected Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre in 2003, Malloy was re-elected in 2007 and appointed Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on October 30, 2007. In addition to his new role, Malloy will continue to serve as the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

The Minister of Research and Innovation is responsible for promoting research and innovations in the public and private sectors for the potential of all residents of Ontario.

The addition of Research and Innovation to the portfolio of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for John Milloy, is seen as a sign of support for basic research.

In an interview, Milloy said his post-secondary portfolio, combined with his personal connection to an area renowned for its innovation and research, made him an ideal candidate for the research portfolio. But he knows he's in for busy days juggling both roles, starting with an immersion into his new portfolio over the next couple weeks.

"It's going to be a big responsibility to take on two portfolios," Milloy said.

The task will be made a bit easier, he said, because the two ministries are complementary: Post-secondary education trains people for work, while research and innovation can create jobs.