Premier Alison Redford shuffles cabinet – Dave Hancock is new deputy premier, Lukaszuk moved to Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

CBC News Posted: Dec 06, 2013 5:04 PM MT Last Updated: Dec 07, 2013 10:27 AM MT

A number of ministers have been moved to new jobs and some have been demoted in a cabinet shuffle announced late Friday afternoon by Alberta Premier Alison Redford.

Mostly notably, Thomas Lukaszuk is no longer deputy premier.

That job will now be filled by former Human Services Minister Dave Hancock, who is also the new minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.

Lukaszuk is now in charge of the new ministry of Jobs, Skills and Training.

Diana McQueen has been moved from Environment and Sustainable Resource Development to the Energy portfolio.

Former energy minister Ken Hughes is now minister of Municipal Affairs. Doug Griffiths have been moved from Municipal Affairs to Service Alberta.

Ric McIver was moved from Transportation to Infrastructure. Manmeet Bhullar takes over from Hancock as Human Services Minister.

Robin Campbell takes over from McQueen in Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Some ministers are staying in their portfolios: Fred Horne in Health, Jonathan Denis in Justice and Solicitor General, Jeff Johnston in Education, Doug Horner in Treasury Board and Finance, Heather Klimchuk in Culture, Cal Dallas in International and Intergovernmental Relations and Richard Starke in Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

white

Opposition criticizes shuffle

Following the release of the cabinet shuffle, Alberta New Democrat leader Brian Mason spoke out against the changes, saying taxpayers should not be forced to pay for Redford’s expanding cabinet.

Mason suggested the addition of several new positions within the cabinet was Redford’s attempt to manage caucus discontent.

“Handing out cabinet positions like candy is no way to manage a government,” he said. “The premier is attempting to buy the loyalty of her fractured caucus with money that should be going to health care and education. Overall we are seeing a bloated, expensive cabinet, appointed for political expediency rather than merit.

Mason also noted that more than half of Redford’s caucus has a specific portfolio and will get extra pay.

 Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith also criticized the size of the new cabinet.

Smith said she was disappointed that several ministers would be continuing in their roles despite strong criticism – particularly in the financial and health portfolios.

“A cabinet shuffle is an opportunity to change direction and signify a new vision. Unfortunately for Albertans, Premier Redford has decided to stick with the status quo on the major issues we face as a province.

“The Premier has decided to stick with her Finance Minister, despite presiding over a budget that he can’t balance, and her Health Minister, despite running system that he can’t fix.”

white

New Cabinet

Italics –  indicates a position that has changed hands

* – indicates a newly created position

Alison Redford Premier President of Executive Council
Dave Hancock Deputy Premier Minister of Innovation & Advanced Education
Doug Horner President of Treasury Board Minister of Finance
Thomas Lukaszuk Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour*
Cal Dallas Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations
Diana McQueen Minister of Energy
Fred Horne Minister of Health
Ken Hughes Minister of Municipal Affairs
Jeff Johnson Minister of Education Ministerial Liaison to the Canadian Forces
Verlyn Olson Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy House Leader
Jonathan Denis Minister of Justice & Solicitor General Deputy House Leader
Doug Griffiths Minister of Service Alberta
Robin Campbell Minister of Environment & Sustainable Resource Development Government House Leader
Heather Klimchuk Minister of Culture
Frank Oberle Minister of Aboriginal Relations Deputy House Leader
Manmeet Bhullar Minister of Human Services
Wayne Drysdale Minister of Transportation
Ric McIver Minister of Infrastructure
Richard Starke Minister of Tourism, Parks, & Recreation

white

Associate Ministers

Dave Rodney Wellness
Teresa Woo-Paw International and Intergovernmental Relations (Asia)
Kyle Fawcett Recovery & Reconstruction for South West Alberta
Greg Weadick Recovery & Reconstruction for South East Alberta
Rick Fraser Recovery & Reconstruction for High River
Don Scott Accountability Transparency and Transformation
Sandra Jansen Family and Community Safety
Steve Young Public Safety*
Dave Quest Seniors
Donna Kennedy-Glans Electricity and Renewable Energy*
Naresh Bhardwaj Persons with Disabilities

white