Jill Dunlop Appointed as Ontario's New Education Minister

The Prime Minister of Ontario, Doug Ford, has made a significant change within his cabinet by putting Jill Dunlop as the new Minister of Education. This decision comes as the former head, Todd Smith, leaves his position to embrace a new role in the private sector. The announcement has seen broad discussions among various political actors across the province, mainly because of its timing close to the new school year.

Many people associate the choice of the new Minister with the recent funding announcement for child care, which critics widely condemned. Particularly, Jill Dunlop, who used to hold the position of MPP for Simcoe North, will have to find ways to address the ongoing tensions inside the education sector that currently prompt lively discussions concerning funding and policy-making arrangements.

Marit Stiles, who is the Ontario NDP’s opposition education critic, criticized the sudden withdrawal of Todd Smith from the position. However, the main problem for the new official is the perception that her practices may not be the best fit for the education and child care sector that needs changes.