Premier-elect Ford names transition team

June 8, 2018

Premier-designate Doug Ford has “hit the ground running” the morning after leading the Progressive Conservatives to victory in the Ontario election.

Ford announced Friday that his campaign chair Dean French, a business executive, would be his chief of staff and that veteran political consultant Chris Froggatt would chair the transition team as the Tories take power.

“Now, the real work begins,” the incoming premier told reporters in Etobicoke after leading the Tories back from the political wilderness following almost 15 years in opposition.

“I figure the transition will take 21 days,” said Ford, who added that he must select a cabinet, which will be difficult, because he has so many “all-stars” from which to choose.

Also on Ford’s transition team are former federal and provincial cabinet minister John Baird; former Tory president Rueben Devlin, a hospital CEO; Simone Daniels, who works at Ford’s firm, Deco Labels and Tags, and PC stalwart Mike Coates.

“We intend to act fast,” said Ford, who did not say when the Legislature would resume.

“The people out there have given me a very clear mandate to govern,” said Ford, whose party holds 76 seats in the 124-seat House compared to 40 for the NDP, seven for the Liberals, and one for the Greens.

Asked if if the new government would considering lowering the threshold of official party status in the House from eight to seven to allow the Liberals to receive research funding and be allowed to ask daily questions in the Legislature, Ford was non-committal.

“We’ll be able to discuss that in the days and weeks to come,” he said, adding he had spoken to Premier Kathleen Wynne.

“Ms. Wynne was gracious and has promised her team’s support …on the transition.”

Ford said he would move quickly to scrap the modernized sex-education curriculum, which is opposed by social conservatives.

“We’re repealing it,” he said.

Wynne, who will meet with reporters on Friday afternoon, stepped down as Liberal leader after Thursday night’s drubbing, which ended a 15-year Grit dynasty at Queen’s Park.

Party president Brian Johns said Friday that “we have heard Ontarian clearly.”

“Our focus now is on renewal of our party, which can only be achieved by actively reconnecting with Ontarians across the province. We look forward to continuing to be a strong voice for the people of Ontario in opposition,” said Johns.

“As a party, we are grateful to Kathleen Wynne and (former premier) Dalton McGuinty for their leadership, vision, and commitment.”

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, who will hold a press conference later Friday, will serve as leader of the official opposition.