'He’s here to clean up a mess': Weighing in on MPP Rob Flack’s housing ministry appointment
Premier Doug Ford is putting his trust in Elgin-Middlesex London MPP Rob Flack to help get the government out of the Greenbelt scandal and build homes.
In a Monday cabinet shuffle, Flack was appointed associate minister of housing, and will work alongside Paul Calandra, the new housing minister.
"We have great associate ministers with Rob Flack, one of the brightest business minds at Queen's Park to help build homes,” said Ford
Flack — who was the assistant to the minister of agriculture — will report to Calandra, and have a specific mandate on attainable housing and modular homes.
He was given the appointment just hours after housing minister Steve Clark stepped down.
"He's here to clean up a real mess,” said Jaquetta Newman, a political science professor at King's University College.
Newman believes Flack's rural and agriculture background could be a benefit when it comes to the Greenbelt, however, the Ministry of Housing is massive portfolio right now.
"If you're ambitious, this is a portfolio you want, but it's also high risk,” added Newman. “Given the mess that is the Greenbelt scandal, it could really backfire.”
Conservative Rob Flack has been elected in Elgin-Middlesex-London, June 2, 2022. (Jaden Lee-Lincoln/CTV News London)
With Calandra keeping his house leadership role, Flack could be counted on to ease some of his workload.
“Calandra is going to need somebody at his side who can actually support this,” explained Glen Morgan, a professor in Fanshawe College’s School of Language and Liberal Studies. “Ford is giving some trust to Flack for this. I think southwestern Ontario is one of Ontario's bread baskets, as it’s agricultural and Rob's got that connection to it.”
Newman is still unsure what will happen with the Greenbelt scandal, but believes the cabinet shuffle is a way toward redemption.
“I think this shows the Ford government taking it seriously, although I could argue they should have taken it seriously three weeks ago,” she said.
London's opposition MPPs believe the resignation of Clark is a start, but they want the premier held accountable.
CTV News London reached out numerous times to Flack’s office on Tuesday, but have yet to receive a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.