Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae has been appointed to Premier Doug Ford's cabinet, being sworn in on Thursday as the Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries.
Ford announced new cabinet appointments on Thursday as a way of combatting ongoing tariffs that President Donald Trump and the United States have imposed on Canadian industries across numerous sectors.
The Premier was quoted in a media release from Rae's office as saying "President Trump is once again taking aim at Ontario’s economy with his latest round of tariffs and anti-trade measures. Ontario won’t back down."
Rae was elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2025 to represent the riding of Perth-Wellington in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Prior to being appointed to cabinet, Minister Rae served as the Government Caucus Chair, Chief Government Whip, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
"It is an honour to continue serving the good people of Perth-Wellington and Ontario in this new role," said Rae. "At a time of economic uncertainty and growing pressures on Canada’s energy security, Ontario has an important role to play in strengthening our energy independence and supporting good-paying jobs. I look forward to working closely with Minister Lecce and the team at the Ministry of Energy and Mines to build the next generation of made-in-Canada energy, to power the most competitive economy in the G7. I want to thank Premier Ford for the confidence he has placed in me. Perth-Wellington is home to St. Marys Cement and many other energy-intensive industries. I look forward to continuing to serve our small and rural communities in this new role."
