Recently the halls of Queens Park have been buzzing with rumors circulating that the Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, George Smitherman may be leaving Dalton McGuinty's cabinet for a chance to become the Mayor of Toronto. Although the Premier has labelled these rumors as false it does bring up the interesting scenario of who would take Smitherman's place should he chose to run for Mayor. There are a few MPP's that could be thought to have a chance of becoming a Minister should McGuinty be faced with the departure of Smitherman.
The first candidate is Oakville's MPP Kevin Flynn. MPP Flynn has been Parliamentary Assistant in the Ministries of Labour, Environment, Democratic Renewal and Training Colleges and Universities. Before his entrance to Queens Park Flynn was a Town Councilor in Oakville and a successful business owner. Although issues regarding a proposed power plant in his home riding have put Flynn in some hot water recently he should be looked at as one of the top candidates for a Ministerial position should McGuinty shuffle the cabinet again.
MPP Lou Rinaldi cannot go without mention either. Much like MPP Flynn, Lou Rinaldi has been the Parliamentary Assistant for various ministries. MPP Rinaldi has been P.A. for Public Infrastructure Renewal, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Municipal Affairs and Housing. MPP Rinaldi has strong support of his home constituents in Northumberland-Quinte West. Rinaldi has been very involved in local politics being elected numerous times and is also a former Mayor.
The final possible candidate to receive Smitherman's place is someone who is not unknown to Ministerial positions. MPP Greg Sorbara is another possible candidate (as an interim Minister/Deputy Premier). He has been Minister of Finance, Consumer and Commercial Relations, Labour, Responsible for Women's Issues, Skills and Development and finally Colleges and Universities. It would be a safe move on the Premier's part to place him there seeing as how he has more than enough experience at Queens Park in Ministerial roles and could likely be the best possible pick until a more permanent candidate could be selected.
The election in Toronto is still a ways off but this issue is heating up more and more. Will we see the departure of a very successful and hardworking deputy premier from McGuinty's cabinet? Only time will tell...
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