Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr. named minister of natural resources

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr. has been appointed to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's cabinet as the minister of natural resources.

It happened at a swearing-in ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. 

Harris was first elected in 2018 and was first appointed to cabinet in June 2024, when he was named the first-ever minister of red tape reduction. 

Harris is the only Waterloo region-area MPP to be named to Ford's new Executive Council.

Harris won a third term in the riding of Kitchener-Conestoga in February's election. He is the son of former Ontario Premier Mike Harris Sr.

New Cabinet

Ford's new cabinet is made up of many familiar names with some ministers changing roles.

Paul Calandra has been moved to education minister from municipal affairs and housing, Rob Flack will take over that role, leaving agriculture, food and agribusiness.

Most other major ministries, however, have remained the same.

Sylvia Jones is still health minister and deputy premier, Vic Fideli remains minister of economic development and Peter Bethlenfalvy will continue as minister of finance. 

Stephen Lecce remains the minister of energy and mines, but that portfolio now includes a responsibility over broadband expansion and connectivity.

Ford's cabinet is still 37 members strong, as it was before the 2025 Ontario election. 

Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont is swearing in the premier and his executive council in a ceremony at the Royal Ontario Museum.

The Ontario Legislature will resume on April 14.