By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Kathleen Wynne sworn in as Ontario’s first female premier
Kathleen Wynne has been sworn in as premier of Ontario, becoming the province’s first female leader and Canada’s first openly gay premier.
Wynne is replacing Dalton McGuinty, who led the province for nine years.
The ceremony at the Ontario legislature also saw a number of Wynne’s leadership rivals and Liberal backbenchers take key cabinet positions.
But the minority Liberals have a tough road ahead and an $12-billion deficit to tackle.
They’ve been under fire for the politically-motivated cancellations of two gas plants, that will cost taxpayers at least $230 million.
Public school teachers — their longtime allies — are furious that the Liberals imposed two-year contracts that cut benefits and froze most of their wages.
There are ten newcomers in Premier Kathleen Wynne’s 27-member cabinet, including Guelph’s Liz Sandals who takes on the politically sensitive education portfolio.
Wynne says she’ll recall the prorogued legislature by February 19th & work with the opposition to avoid a general election. (Source: National Post)