The Ford government has appointed a former head of the Canadian Armed Forces to lead the province's COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Retired Gen. Rick Hillier will bring his military background to bear on the organizational challenge of distributing the vaccines as efficiently as possible once they become available, leading the Ministers' COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force.
"The fact that we are setting up this task force is a sign that we are making progress in the fight against COVID-19," said Premier Doug Ford in a press release. "We still have a long way to go, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That's why I have asked General Hillier to lead this effort, because we need the best of the best for the monumental task at hand. I am confident he will bring the same disciplined leadership and military precision needed to execute one of the largest logistical undertakings our province has ever faced."
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Orridge has been appointed the new CEO of TVO. He's a New York native and Harvard Law grad. His CV includes a stint as commissioner of the <a title="Canadian Football League" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Football_League">Canadian Football League</a>, executive director of CBC Sports and chief operating officer at Right to Play and, most recently, chairman of esports company Tiidal.
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Pleasure to welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/tvo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tvo</a>’s new CEO, <a href="https://twitter.com/JlOrridge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JlOrridge</a> - a proven leader, change agent, and innovator. 
My statement below. <a href="https://t.co/FyxMC4zgWC">pic.twitter.com/FyxMC4zgWC</a>
&mdash; Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sflecce/status/1328758762312708103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, two prominent players in Ontario politics have lined up to run for the Conservative nomination in Thornhill, opening up as MP Peter Kent has announced he doesn't intend to run again. PC MPP Gila Martow and former Ford war room director Melissa Lantsman have both announced their intentions.
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Thornhillers have asked me to be their candidate in the next Federal election. Officially launching <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamGila?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamGila</a>&#39;s campaign for the nomination. Join us!<a href="https://t.co/ZQcuwaDHUn">https://t.co/ZQcuwaDHUn</a> <a href="https://t.co/2PV5bZFnAf">pic.twitter.com/2PV5bZFnAf</a>
&mdash; Gila Martow (@GilaMartow) <a href="https://twitter.com/GilaMartow/status/1330584595134296066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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I&#39;m in! I&#39;m running for the Conservative Party nomination in Thornhill. 
Are you with me?<a href="https://t.co/OtNzfQgFxh">https://t.co/OtNzfQgFxh</a>
&mdash; Melissa Lantsman (@MelissaLantsman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaLantsman/status/1330555795981864960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Lanstman is currently a vice president with Enterprise Canada and a frequent contributor to political panels. Martow has been an MPP since 2014.
And the Ontario Green Party has a new deputy leader. Former Ontario Environment Commissioner Diane Saxe has stepped into the ring after the Ford government axed the position and brought her office under the auspices of the auditor general. In a statement, Saxe said she "preferred to be non-partisan, but ... cannot stand aside any longer." Leader Mike Schreiner said his party wasn't the only one interested in recruiting her.
Lastly, the <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministers-digital-and-data-task-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ministers' Digital and Data Task Force</a> has two new members: Kevin Smith, the CEO of the University Health Network, and Alex Benay, leader of digital and government services at KPMG. The task force has been asked to provide expertise and insights into developing and implementing a best-in-class Ontario Data Strategy, according to a government press release.

People on the move: A general for the vaccine war, a new TVO head, and more

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