of 1999, this time for the Liberal nomination in the redistributed riding of York South—Weston. Kennedy was convinced by the party leadership to run elsewhere, and Cordiano won an easy victory in the election which followed. The Progressive Conservatives were re-elected in the general election, however, and Cordiano remained on the opposition benches. In 2000, he was appointed opposition critic for financial institutions. The Liberals won the provincial election of 2003, and Cordiano won another easy victory in York South—Weston. On October 23, 2003, Cordiano was named Minister for Economic Development and Trade. Cordiano was the architect behind the Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy that saw the province leverage over $7 billion in new automotive investment into the province. Under his term as Minister, Ontario replaced Michigan as the largest auto-producing jurisdiction in North America. He was also responsible for the securing a new Toyota assembly plant in Woodstock, Ontario. This was Ontario's first new assembly plant in over 20 years. Jurisdictions across the United States were in competition for this highly sought after investment that created 1,300 direct jobs and thousands more in related sectors. Cordiano resigned from the cabinet and the legislature on September 18, 2006, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Cabinet posts Electoral record Later life After leaving politics, Cordiano became President of Dominus Construction Group and Principal of Cityzen Development Group. He has remained engaged in public life as a board member of West Park Healthcentre. He currently sits as an advisory board member of the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto. Cordiano is also a member of the Board of Advisors of MobileBits. References External links 1957 births Canadian people of Italian descent Living people Members of the Executive Council of Ontario Ontario Liberal Party MPPs Politicians from Toronto University of Toronto alumni 21st-century Canadian politicians