SCOOP: New minister on the bench
Plus: Dunlop staffs up, cabinet convenes on post-Step 3, and a Ford Fest throwback
ABOVE THE FOLD
First in Queen’s Park Observer — There’s a new minister in town. PAUL CALANDRA, who’s sat on the front bench as the PC government’s House leader, was sworn in as Minister of Legislative Affairs yesterday. “Minister Calandra will ensure that the government’s agenda for protecting Ontarians and creating more long-term prosperity will continue to move forward in the legislature,” Premier DOUG FORD said in a statement.
Calandra also hangs on to his role as House leader. It isn’t clear yet how his new ministry will operate, but the Premier’s office says it’s about “leading our ambitious legislative agenda.” Ministerial roles also come with a 42 per cent pay bump.
BEYOND STEP 3 — Calandra makes his cabinet debut at a meeting today where post-Step 3 life is expected to come up. Details on what comes next — including further lifting of capacity limits for restaurants and whether the passport system may become voluntary could be released this week, informed by the la…