Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson is ready to face his newest challenge.
Last week, Wilkinson traded portfolios in a provincial cabinet shuffle, leaving his position as revenue minister to become minister of the environment.
In a telephone interview last week, Wilkinson said being appointed to the position was a great honour and a privilege.
“It is a very, very busy and active ministry and my job is to get briefed up as quick as I can and hit the ground running,” he said.
Problem solving is a priority, he added, and he’ll be tackling difficulties head on.
One of the highest profile issues facing the ministry right now is the implementation of eco fees, which have caused a public uproar.
The fees – being set by private industry to help cover costs it contributes to provincial recycling programs – have been put on hold, and are pending review.
“As minister, my marching orders are to get that review finished and make recommendations to my cabinet colleagues and the premier as to what we should be doing going forward,” said Wilkinson, who is no stranger to controversy after implementing the harmonized sales tax.
Though eco fees weren’t directly imposed by the government, which gave companies the option of choosing to charge the additional fee, Wilkinson admits the issue does boil down to accountability.
“It wasn’t actually the government doing it and it wasn’t actually the government receiving the money,” he explained. “But at the end of the day, our government is responsible and that’s why we elect people.
“We heard pretty loudly from people what was happening had not been communicated to them in a way they understood.”
Keeping hazardous materials out of landfills and diverting the waste into the recycling stream is of the utmost importance, said Wilkinson, adding toxic items can contaminate land and groundwater.
“We’re going to figure out a way to do that in an open and transparent way that consumers can understand,” he said. “...It’s a tall order but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
It may seem like a jump to go from revenue minister to the ministry of the environment, but the post isn’t entirely new to Wilkinson. When he was first elected, he served as the parliamentary assistant to then-ministers Leona Dombrowsky and  Laurel Broten.
His predecessors have left a legacy that he hopes to continue, he said, noting initiatives such as eliminating the burning of dirty coal, the Clean Water Act, the Sourcewater Protection Act and Toxins Reduction Act.
Despite the busy times ahead, Wilkinson said he is committed to representing his constituents and spending time in the riding.
“I’ve always said my No. 1 job is to be the very best MPP to Perth-Wellington as possible,” he said.
“My schedule is busy but I try to be in the riding as much as I can’ Wilkinson said. “It’s the job I enjoy the most because that’s the one I was elected to do.”