“In my private practice I prided myself on client service and I see this as just serving a new client and that client happens to be the attorney general [Yasir Naqvi] and his premier. I look forward to serving them well in terms of their legal needs,” he says.

The position was left open in May when former deputy attorney general Patrick Monahan was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.

“I’ve always had a keen interest in public service and the government and government law. My public service interest stems back to my parents who, when I was growing up, were very active in our local community in Sault Ste. Marie,” says Boniferro. “I have been at a stage in my career where I was looking forward to a new challenge and new opportunity and this became available and I decided to take it.”

With the next Ontario provincial election taking place in June of next year, Boniferro is entering the role at an interesting time, but doesn’t see any issues if there was to be a change in government next summer.

“Canadians do a much better job at transition of governments. Regardless of the outcome of any political stripe, the public service for the most part is kept intact and continues to serve the government of the day. I’ve learned over the years that the beauty of the public service in Ontario and Canada is that they are truly professionals and serve the government of the day. The elections don’t have a major impact on roles at the deputy minister level.”