DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
UXBRIDGE: Pickering-Uxbridge MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy has been named Ontario’s newest Minister of Finance.
Mr. Bethlenfalvy was appointed to the role in late December, following the resignation of Rod Phillips.
Mr. Phillips’ resignation came after his trip to St. Barts became public.
“At a time when the people of Ontario have sacrificed so much, today’s resignation is a demonstration that our government takes seriously our obligation to hold ourselves to a higher standard,” read a statement from Premier Doug Ford. “In addition to his current role as President of the Treasury Board, I have asked Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy to assume the role of Minister of Finance and deliver the government’s 2021 budget.”
Mr. Bethlenfalvy appeared thrilled with the appointment, in a tweet released from his Twitter account, on Thursday, December 31st.
“I’m honoured to be sworn in as Ontario’s Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board. I remain dedicated to working hard to support families, workers, [and] small businesses as we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic [and] work towards Ontario’s recovery. Thank you Premier Ford [and] the residents of Pickering-Uxbridge for your continued confidence,” he wrote.