First elected in 2018, the Honourable Rod Phillips currently serves as the MPP for Ajax, and Ontario’s Minister of Finance. Prior to assuming his role as the Minister of Finance, he was Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks.

In this position, he developed and implemented the government’s strategy to ensure the balance of a healthy environment and a healthy economy. Before entering politics, Minister Phillips enjoyed a successful business career, notably serving as Chair of Postmedia, Canada’s largest news media company.

He also served as Chair of Afiniti Canada, a global artificial intelligence company recently recognized by The Business Insider as one of the “41 hottest AI startups worth at least $1 billion”. Minister Phillips is the former President and CEO of the Ontario lottery and Gaming Corporation, which reported a then-record profit of over $2 billion during his tenure. He was also a founder of Shepell.fgi, which grew to employ over5,000 people worldwide. Shepell.fgi was acquired by Morneau-Sobeco in a deal which became the winner of CVCA’s 2009 “Private Equity Deal of the Year” award. The minister has also served as Chief of Staff in the offices of then-Minister of Labour, Elizabeth Witmer, and former Mayor of Toronto, Mel Lastman.

Born in Newmarket, the Minister has an Honours BA in Political Science and English from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University.