Conservative opposition leader Patrick Brown given Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece an additional portfolio at Queen’s Park.
Pettapiece will now serve as official opposition critic for community and social services. In addition, he will retain his positions as seniors critic and critic responsible for the horse racing industry and as a member of the all-party standing committee on government agencies.
He has also been asked to serve as Progressive Conservative caucus regional representative for southwest Ontario.
“I’m very pleased that our new leader, Patrick Brown, has entrusted me with these files,” said Pettapiece. “However, this won’t change job number one: representing my constituents.
As critic, Pettapiece said he plans to highlight the immediate need for developmental services funding, and work to ensure that families in Perth-Wellington and across the province have access to the support they need.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services is responsible for providing social assistance, administering programs and funding for adults with developmental disabilities, and overseeing the Family Responsibility Office which collects and distributes child and spousal support payments.
Since elected in 2011, Pettapiece states he has regularly met with families who have had difficulty accessing developmental services funding for their adult children. Earlier this year, Pettapiece called on the Ombudsman of Ontario to investigate the Liberal government’s 2014 promise to invest $810 million to help children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Pettapiece is also pleased to continue his focus on the needs of seniors.
“I have always advocated for seniors in Perth-Wellington, and over the last year, I have had the opportunity to support some of our local municipalities and organizations as they expand their programming for seniors,” said Pettapiece, who previously served as government and consumer services critic.
Brown announced his shadow cabinet appointments on Sept. 11 at Queen’s Park.
