Red Tape Reduction Minister Parm Gill is leaving Queen's Park and jumping ship to federal politics, sources told The Trillium Thursday.
"We thank Parm Gill for his service in cabinet and as a valued member of our caucus. We wish him every success in this next chapter and will announce a new Minister of Red Tape Reduction at a later date," said Caitlin Clark, director of media relations to Premier Doug Ford, in a statement shortly after this story was first published.
The Milton MPP has been in cabinet since 2021, after first winning office in 2018. He was the minister of citizenship and multiculturalism from June 2021 until the 2022 election, then named to his current post.
Gill was Brampton—Springdale's federal MP from 2011 to 2015, where he served alongside current Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on the Tory benches under Stephen Harper.
"I have known Pierre and Ana (Poilievre's wife) for many years and have seen firsthand Pierre's commitment and dedication to making our country better," Gill said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
"I am motivated to continue to fight for the constituents of Milton by joining Pierre's common sense Conservative team in their efforts to defeat Justin Trudeau's Liberal-NDP costly coalition," he added.
A cabinet shuffle is expected Friday, sources told The Trillium.
Gill's departure potentially opens up a favourable riding for Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie. Milton is just west of Mississauga, where Crombie served as mayor from 2014 until Jan. 12, 2024.
Premier Ford must call a byelection within six months of a vacancy.
Ford has yet to call a byelection to replace former labour minister Monte McNaughton, who left politics on Oct. 6, 2023. Crombie has said she is not interested in running in his former riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex.
This story was updated after publication to include comments from the premier's office and Gill.
