The Ontario government returns to its fall legislative session on September 25, but not without major upheaval in the political landscape. Premier Doug Ford has reversed his stance on developing part of the Greenbelt, apologizing for breaking a promise to protect it.  

The Greenbelt currently includes more than 800,000 hectares of land that extends 325 kilometres from the eastern end of the Oak Ridges Moraine near Rice Lake in the east to the Niagara River in the west.

The ministerial resignation of Monte MacNaughton, unrelated to the Greenbelt controversy, has resulted in another shift in cabinet.

David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, becomes the new minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development.

Andrea Khanjim, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil, moves into the portfolio of environment, conservation and parks.

Source:  Staff