Scarborough-Agincourt MPP Phillips takes over energy portfolio

The Scarborough-Agincourt MPP, who has held office for more than 20 years, was contacted Sunday, Nov. 8, evening by Premier Dalton McGuinty to step in for Smitherman until the end of the fall session.

"When the premier asks for help I think almost anyone would do what they can do help," Phillips said. He served as minister of environment previously.

Smitherman, who was also deputy premier, officially announced Monday morning he was resigning his cabinet position to concentrate on a mayoral bid in Toronto.

The high profile position includes overseeing $32 billion in investment in infrastructure and the leadership of the province's Green Energy Act.

"I view my job as making sure we don't lose any momentum," he said in an interview Tuesday.

It's been a busy few days for Phillips as he gets up to speed on the many issues covered under the two portfolios, including the opposition to Toronto Hydro's decision to install an anemometer in Lake Ontario to test the feasibility of an offshore wind farm.

"Most people agree we have to reduce our use of fossil fuels, our carbon footprint and do whatever we can to develop clean, renewable energy," he said, adding he is very aware of the concern about the possibility of wind turbines in Lake Ontario off the Scarborough Bluffs.

With the economy still suffering, overseeing the billions of dollars announced in the 2009 budget to replace aging infrastructure and help stimulate the economy is also a big responsibility.

"I'm working as hard as I can to make sure we get those projects going and those jobs created," Phillips said.

It's expected Phillips will hold the position until McGuinty does a larger cabinet shuffle in the new year.