The higher education landscape in Ontario shifted recently, with Premier Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet shuffle bringing a results-driven MPP with ties to Queen’s to the higher education portfolio.

Deputy Premier Deborah Matthews, whose father graduated from Queen’s in 1950 and whose family has deeper ties to the university's sixth principal (from 1864 to 1877), the Rev. William Snodgrass, is now minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development (formerly the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities).

“We are delighted by Minister Matthews’ appointment to Advanced Education, and look forward to collaborating with her to improve educational outcomes for students at Queen's and Ontario's other universities and colleges” says Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “Queen’s already has a longstanding relationship with Minister Matthews' family, and it is exciting to continue that connection through her new responsibility for post-secondary education.”

Minister Matthews, who is MPP for London North Centre and replaces Reza Moridi in the higher education portfolio, has held key posts in provincial government as minister of Health and Long-Term Care, as president of the Treasury Board, and as a member of the Priorities, Delivery and Growth Committee of cabinet. Moridi retains his position as minister of Research, Innovation and Science.

The provincial government also announced last week that Minister Matthews’ parliamentary assistant is Han Dong, MPP for Trinity-Spadina. Local MPP Sophie Kiwala was appointed parliamentary assistant to the minister of Children and Youth Services, and to the minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

Minister Matthews visited Queen’s campus in March, along with Greg Orencsak, Deputy Minister of the Treasury Board Secretariat. The pair were guest speakers in a School of Policy Studies class on Leading Change in the Public Sector.