Following the Ontario provincial election on February 27, 2025, Premier Doug Ford has announced his new Cabinet. Earlier today, the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, officiated the swearing-in ceremony for the Executive Council of the 44th Parliament of Ontario. The Progressive Conservative Party had secured a third consecutive majority government through obtaining 80 seats in the 124-seat Legislature.
While much of the Cabinet remains unchanged, Premier Ford has introduced some adjustments to provncial portfolios to reflect Ontario’s current economic and trade challenges—including the looming impact of U.S. tariffs and continued supply chain disruptions.
Key Cabinet Ministers Impacting the Railway Supply Sector
- Doug Ford – Premier of Ontario & Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Vic Fedeli – Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
- Prabmeet Sarkaria – Minister of Transportation
- Greg Rickford – Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation & Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships
- Kinga Surma – Minister of Infrastructure
- Peter Bethlenfalvy – Minister of Finance
- Stephen Lecce – Minister of Energy and Mines
- David Piccini – Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
A full list of Cabinet Ministers can be found through this government of Ontario webpage.
What This Means for the Railway Supply Industry
With this new Cabinet, the Ontario government has reaffirmed its commitment to economic growth, workforce development, and infrastructure expansion—key priorities for the railway and transit sectors. Premier Ford has emphasized streamlining supply chains, supporting Ontario-based manufacturing, and unlocking natural resources like critical minerals in the Ring of Fire.
Transportation and infrastructure remain central to the government’s agenda, with Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria continuing his leadership at the Ministry of Transportation, overseeing transit expansion projects and major railway infrastructure investments. Additionally, Minister Vic Fedeli will continue driving international trade and investment—an important focus as Canada navigates the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.
With the Ontario Budget expected in April, we anticipate further details on future capital investments, transportation funding, and industry support measures. CARS will be closely monitoring these developments and advocating on behalf of our members.
We encourage members to engage with key ministries to ensure the needs of the railway supply sector remain at the forefront of Ontario’s economic and growth strategies.
Next Steps & How CARS is Engaging
CARS will continue to engage with provincial policymakers and political leaders to advocate for investment in railway infrastructure, supplier procurement opportunities, supply chain resiliency, and workforce development. As we learn more about Ontario’s plans, we will provide updates and opportunities for members to get involved.
If you have any questions or insights to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out.