No minister from Ottawa in Ford cabinet

Premier Doug Ford reaffirms his oath as premier of Ontario during a cabinet swearing-in ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s new cabinet does not include a minister from Ottawa.

Ford unveiled his 2025 cabinet Wednesday following his election win in February. George Darouze, the only Progressive Conservative MPP from the City of Ottawa’s eight main ridings was not named to a cabinet post.

• Doug Ford unveils new cabinet with few changes to major portfolios

Ford has not had a cabinet minister from the city of Ottawa since March 2023 when Kanata-Carleton MPP Merrilee Fullerton resigned. She had been serving as Minister of Children, Community and Social Services at the time.

In 2024, the Ontario government opened a “regional office” for Ottawa, which is located on Albert Street.

Despite the area of eastern Ontario outside the city largely voting PC, the only eastern Ontario MPP who is included in Ford’s cabinet is Nolan Quinn, the MPP for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry, who has been named Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Orléans Liberal MPP Stephen Blais said on social media that he was “extraordinarily disappointed” that Ford did not include a cabinet minister from and for Ottawa.

“The bromance with (Mayor) Mark Sutcliffe is no replacement for the 2nd largest city having a minister around the table,” he wrote on X. “Ottawa IS IN (sic) Ontario.”

Ottawa South Liberal MPP John Fraser also issued a statement Wednesday accusing Ford of ignoring Ottawa.

“At the last election, the residents of Ottawa voted overwhelmingly to improve education and healthcare. Despite having a member of his Caucus from Ottawa, Doug Ford has deliberately passed over Ottawa again,” he said.

Ford won a third majority in a winter election he called in response to tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. The new cabinet includes 37 ministers, including the premier.