Many in northeastern Ontario were watching Friday morning's Ontario government swearing-in ceremony at Queen’s Park closely to see how Doug Ford's new cabinet would impact the region.
Many were in for a surprise.
A slimmed down cabinet is taking over at Queen's Park with eight fewer MPPs in the new government who will be addressed as minister.
One big shift in particular, involving three major portfolios that have a big impact in the north are now in the hands of Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford.
He previously served as Minister of Natural Resources in the Harper government and he'll now handle Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs for Premier Doug Ford.
Now, at first glance, these three files might be an unlikely mix, but CTV News spoke to a former long-time Sudbury Liberal MPP, Rick Bartolucci, who says they're a perfect match.
"Mining and Energy are so critically linked that finally one minister is going to be speaking, and that's going to help in my estimation. It's going to help mining across the province of Ontario." said Bartolucci.
CTV News also spoke briefly with the now former Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault. He says putting energy and mines together makes sense, but he would've liked to see Inidigenous Affairs left alone.
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce also weighed in, saying the three cabinet files are important, but interrelated.
Michael Macnamara is the Board Chair for Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
"Premier Ford said that the Ring of Fire was a priority for his government, and we know that Energy and Indigenous Affairs will be key components of opening up that mine site. We also know that all three files are central to Northern Ontario's economic well-being, so this combination of portfolios offers an opportunity for greater coordination and collaboration." said Macnamara.
And two days after her election, Ontario Regional Chief Roseanne Archibald says she's disappointed the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs no longer stands alone, but that Rickford is an ideal candidate for the post.
Another cabinet appointment we'll be keeping a close eye on is the new Health Minister, Christine Elliott. The Newmarket-Aurora MPP takes over as 76 unionized employees at Health Sciences North in Sudbury wait to hear the fate of their employment.
