Local MPP Doug Downey brings 20 years worth of legal experience into his new role as Ontario's attorney general following a cabinet shake-up this morning at Queen's Park.
"I actually worked as a court clerk on the front lines and was a court registrar before I went to law school," Downey told BarrieToday.
The Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP holds four degrees, including a master's in judicial administration and a master's in law. He was called to the bar in 1999.
Downey specialized in real-estate law as a partner at Orillia's Downey Tornosky Lassaline & Timpano law firm before being elected MPP last summer as a member of the Progressive Conservative party.
He is currently on a leave of absence from the firm and is not practising law, but said he still maintains a share in the ownership of the building.
"When I got elected, I was technically allowed to practise law, but I think you pick one job or the other," he said.
As part of the provincial government, Downey had recently been serving as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance, as well as deputy government whip for the PCs.
Downey says he's "absolutely thrilled and honoured" to be offered the attorney general's post.
"I ran a law firm and worked in the trenches, so I think my perspective will add some value," Downey said of his new position. "It's a big role and I really look forward to it."
The attorney general oversees staff in dozens of buildings all over the province, from courthouses to Crown attorneys' offices.
"The attorney general is responsible for advising the government internally on legal matters, on things we can and can't do, and how we do them," Downey said. "It's quite a large department and really gets involved with everything."
First steps for Downey include speaking to the outgoing attorney general, York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney, which he has already done, to ensure a smooth transition into the role and get up to speed on some of the initiatives she'd been pursuing.
"She was doing great work and her staff were top notch," he said.
Mulroney becomes minister of transportation and will also be responsible for the francophone affairs portfolio.
Mulroney has not yet been reached for comment about the change.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, who works closely with Downey on issues that affect the city and the area, offered congratulations to her colleague.
"I am thrilled for my friend, Attorney General Doug Downey," Khanjin told BarrieToday this afternoon. "It is great news for our government and Simcoe County. Minister Downey will transform the standard of law we now create in this province."
In a news release issued earlier today, Downey said he likes "to find solutions."
“Our government has accomplished so much in the past year," said the former Orillia city councillor. "I am excited to continue representing Barrie, Springwater and Oro-Medonte, and focus on how we can continue to serve in the best interest of all people in Ontario.
"I like understanding issues and breaking them down, finding ways to make real change for the people I serve," he added. "Helping people and making a difference is what motivates me, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my PC caucus colleagues to deliver the best for Ontarians.”
In 2015, Downey received the Order of Orillia for community service and has also been bestowed the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for volunteer work. The Simcoe County Law Association named him lawyer of the year in 2008 and he has been recognized as an instrumental business leader by the Orillia Business Association.
Downey has also hosted Politically Speaking, Orillia on Rogers TV and has lectured at universities.
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, meanwhile, was named associate minister of children and women’s issues on Wednesday.
When Dunlop was told she’d be at the helm of children and women’s issues — an arm of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services — she said she was “honoured.”
“I’m thrilled,” Dunlop told our sister site, OrilliaMatters. “As a woman and a mom, I think it’s perfect.”
— With files from Nathan Taylor
