Changes of responsibility in the Ontario cabinet have brought new faces to several key consumer interest portfolios.

• Glenn Thibeault has been named Minister of Energy.
• Marie-France Lalonde was named Minister of Government and Consumer Services (and Francaphone Affairs).
• Former Consumers Council of Canada board member Chris Ballard was named Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

“The Consumers Council of Canada congratulates all new members of the Ontario cabinet on their appointments,” said Council President Aubrey LeBlanc. “The Council notes the past experience of Glenn Thibeault with consumer issues as former official opposition critic for consumer affairs at the federal level. Chris Ballard is well acquainted with consumer protection as he assumes his new portfolio, clearly directed to address an important basic need of all people.

“Marie-France Lalonde has a background in senior’s issues, which increasingly dominate the consumer protection agenda, as a signficant proportion of consumers age and face challenges that make some vulnerable to exploitation.”