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Michael Parsa has been named the new minister of children, community and social services after the surprise resignation of Merrilee Fullerton.
Fullerton stepped down as minister and also as MPP for Kanata-Carleton on Friday afternoon.
Sources told the Star she is leaving for personal reasons.
“Merrilee has been a key member of our team since day one, advancing our government’s agenda to build Ontario and helping to lead our response to the COVID-19 pandemic by serving in important roles in cabinet,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
“I wish my friend the very best as she retires from the world of politics. I have no doubt she’ll continue to give back and contribute to the great communities of Kanata and Carleton in so many ways.”
Ford also welcomed Parsa to his new role, saying the Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill MPP “will work day and night to support our children and build strong and vibrant communities.”
Fullerton delivered her resignation letter to Ford personally on Friday, writing that “a strong sense of duty brought me to politics after decades as a family physician serving my community, to continue my work towards solutions that would address the shortcomings of our health-care system and improve health services for individuals.”
Fullerton oversaw long-term care during part of the pandemic, and also served as minister of colleges and universities.
As minister of community and social services, she was in charge of the difficult autism file.
“This once again puts that file behind the eight ball,” said NDP critic Monique Taylor. “We know that there have been several ministers that have been on this file, and it continues to get worse. I hope that the government puts somebody on the file who can actually get to work quickly, and be able to support our most vulnerable Ontarians.”
With Parsa’s move, Ford announced that MPP Nina Tangri (Mississauga—Streetsville) will take over as associate minister of housing.
“Nina has a proven track record of working with industry stakeholders to advance important initiatives and I have no doubt she’ll do the same with housing,” Ford said in his written statement.