A quiet PC bench switch has Queen’s Park buzzing

And leaky Liberals

SPRING SWITCHEROO

Things may be quiet at the Leg, with MPPs scattered for the final constituency week of this whirlwind session — T-minus two sitting weeks until summer recess! — but the backroom chatter isn’t exactly on a break.

A quiet switch on the PC benches is fuelling perhaps the most evergreen of Queen’s Park guessing games: cabinet shuffle watch.

WILL BOUMA, the MPP for Brantford-Brant, is no longer listed as the ruling party’s caucus chair, a behind-the-scenes gig he’s held since last spring. Taking up the mantle is PC MATTHEW RAE (Perth-Wellington), in addition to his duties as government whip.

Caucus chair may not be the flashiest role in the precinct, but it matters. They deal with internal machinations and logistics, including overseeing caucus meetings, and are a crucial conduit between the Premier’s Office and the rest of the party, especially when it comes to getting backbenchers aligned on government policy and messaging.

Which is what makes the Bouma move so interestin…