The announcement coming from Premier Kathleen Wynne as part of a wider cabinet shuffle.
Mauro says it came as a bit of surprise, but is ready to hit the ground running.
Mauro calls it a big hill to climb with a tremendous amount to learn but looks forward to the challenge.
The shuffle was precipitated by the departure of Linda Jeffrey.
The former Municipal Affairs Minister announced yesterday she was leaving provincial politics to make a run for mayor of Brampton in this falls municipal elections.
Jeffrey was first elected to Queen's Park in 2003, holding a number of cabinet portfolios under former Premier Dalton McGuinty along the way.
