Thibeault named PA to environment minister

Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault has been named parliamentary assistant to Glenn Murray, the minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

A news release said Thibeault will focus on the issue of climate change. He will participate in meetings of the ministers’ Table on Climate Change and sit on the communities, resources and justice policy committee.

“In this role, MPP Thibeault will support the development and implementation of a long-term strategy to address climate change,” the release said. “He will help facilitate strong relationships among the ministry and environmental and industry partners, and will also work with industry to identify additional economic opportunities and benefits of climate action.”

There are now 30 parliamentary assistants in the Liberal government. Their job is to support ministers “with legislative and committee matters, working with community partners and industry groups, and undertaking special projects,” the release said.

“Parliamentary assistants have a very important part to play in delivering on our government’s plan to build Ontario up,” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said in the release. “I am confident MPP Thibeault will contribute a great deal in this new role, as we work to build a more sustainable future for Ontario.”

Thibeault, a former NDP MP for Sudbury, won the Feb. 5 byelection. It was held to replace Joe Cimino, who won the seat for the NDP in June but resigned in November.

While Thibeault won the byelection, controversy continues to swirl around Wynne's decision to appoint him as the candidate over Andrew Olivier, who was the candidate in the June vote.

Olivier recorded conversations with Liberal fundraiser Gerry Lougheed Jr. and party campaign director Pat Sorbara in which they appear to offer him a job or an appointment if he withdrew in favour of Thibeault.

Elections Ontario has concluded the Elections Act was likely broken and the OPP is conducting an ongoing investigation.