Glenn Thibeault says the confidence Premier Kathleen Wynne has shown in tapping him to helm Ontario’s Ministry of Energy is humbling.
It was announced publicly this morning that the Sudbury MPP would brought into the Liberal Government cabinet and given the tough job of heading up the Energy Ministry.
With rising costs of electricity and the lingering specter of the gas plant scandal hanging over Energy, plus Ontario’s recently announced $7-billion climate change plan, Thibeault acknowledged he has a big job ahead of him and much to learn in a short period of time.
“Some colleagues are already giving my condolences,” Thibeault joked when reached by phone today by Sudbury.com. “For the next little while, I need to listen … it’s going to be Glenn Thibeault’s listening tour” as he familiarizes himself with the portfolio, the needs and the challenges.
Asked when everyone’s hydro bill would be going down, Thibeault joked again, “As I’ve been telling everyone who’s asked that: It’s been two hours, give me a day.”
Thibeault said the Energy minister’s job is a big one, not only for the baggage he inherits from previous decisions, but also because the ministry “plays a key role in addressing climate change.”
“I’m humbled by the confidence the premier has shown me,” he said, mentioning the province’s cap and trade plan and its sweeping climate change initiative.
Thibeault is part of a northern contingent in cabinet. The region now counts four MPPs around the government’s decision-making table.
“That’s fantastic and I think the most we have ever had in cabinet at one time,” he said. “We can help move forward our issues.”
One of those issues in NEO Kids, the pediatric out-patient centre at Health Sciences North. The North East Local Health Integration Network gave the plan its blessing a month ago, clearing the way for the project to move up the chain for consideration of capital funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Thibeault, who backs the NEO Kids plan, said with the LHIN’s backing he could begin lobbying at Queen’s Park on behalf of the project. That lobbying will continue, he told Sudbury.com today.
Last week, before he knew about his cabinet appointment, Thibeault said he presented NEO Kids case to Health Minister Eric Hoskins, his deputy minister, his assistant deputy minister and others who would be involved in making the decision about whether to fund the project.
“I spoke about its importance,” Thibeault said. “It’s a great project, we need it in northeastern Ontario, and I [sang] its praises to all senior staff — we need NEO Kids.”
Besides the cabinet post, Thibeault is also a member of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s inner circle, the so-called Inner Cabinet, of her closest decision-makers.
Besides Wynne and Thibeault, the inner cabinet includes Deputy Premier Deb Matthews, Economic Development and Growth Minister Brad Duguid, Treasury Board President Liz Sandals, Finance Minister Charles Sousa, Health Minister Eric Hoskins, Education Minister Mitzie Hunter, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, and Government and Consumer Services Minister Marie-France Lalonde.
There’s no doubt hope in some circles that Thibeault’s new clout around the cabinet table will serve Greater Sudbury and the northeast well.
