Loading articles...

Prentice sworn in as premier, names MLA Scott to cabinet

Jim Prentice was officially sworn in as Premier at a ceremony earlier this afternoon.

He also took on some added responsibilities, naming himself President of the Executive Council and Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs, replacing Cal Dallas.

And he replaced Frank Oberle as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, a portfolio that Prentice says his heart is especially into.

“I’m very passionate about aboriginal issues. I’ve worked my entire life with First Nation and Metis communities,” he said.

“It’s a portfolio I feel very strongly about. You may have heard me speak often about the future wellbeing of aboriginal children, and the education of aboriginal children and ensuring that aboriginal Albertans are treated first and foremost as Albertans with the same opportunities as all Alberta citizens. I have strong views about this and I intend to be hands on.”

He also unveiled the rest of his new cabinet, which included Fort McMurray-Conklin MLA Don Scott in a new role as Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.

That’s a promotion for Scott, who was formerly the Associate Minister of Transparency, Accountability and Transformation under former Premier Redford. 

Oberle was another MLA to be promoted, as he becomes the new Minister of Energy.

Other big promotions include Robin Campbell from Environment and Sustainable Resource Development to Finance and Manmeet Bhullar from Human Services to Infrastructure, while Wayne Drysdale kept his post as Minister of Transportation.

The announcement also featured the appointment of two unelected cabinet ministers – Stephen Mandel as Health Minister and Gordon Dirks as Education Minister.

Prentice says he hand-picked them because of a need for change.

“I felt it was important to renew, re-charge, re-energize the new government. And I reached out specifically to these two people that are very well respected, he said.”

“They both bring known talents in public service, and I felt that they would be excellent in terms of both healthcare and education.”

Though many past cabinet ministers kept their jobs, they were relegated to smaller ministries.

Jeff Johnson went from Education to Seniors and Ric McIver from Infrastructure to Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, while Diana McQueen moved off Energy and over to Municipal Affairs.

As well, former Health Minister Fred Horne, former Finance Minister Doug Horner, and one-time Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk were all left without portfolios.

Though Prentice said Horner would still be a personal advisor to him, the same can’t be said for the other two.

He said he talked to his PC Leadership running mate Lukaszuk.

“I assume that he will play a strong role as a caucus member. I’ve met with Mr. Lukaszuk and I think he’ll be a strong contributor in caucus, I have every reason to expect that,” he said.

Prentice says he will join Mandel and Dirks in running in by-elections that will happen before the legislature convenes for the fall.

 

Full List of Cabinet Ministers

Minister/Associate Minister

Ministry, Responsible for

Jim Prentice Premier, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities

International and Intergovernmental Relations

Aboriginal Relations

Robin Campbell Finance, President of Treasury Board
Stephen Mandel Health
Diana McQueen Municipal Affairs, Government House Leader
Frank Oberle Energy, Deputy Government House Leader
Gordon Dirks Education
Manmeet Bhullar Infrastructure
Verlyn Olson Agriculture and Rural Development
Heather Klimchuk Human Services
Kyle Fawcett Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
Jonathan Denis Justice and Solicitor General, Deputy Government House Leader
Jeff Johnson Seniors
Don Scott Innovation and Advanced Education, Deputy Government House Leader
Maureen Kubinec Culture and Tourism
Wayne Drysdale Transportation
Stephen Khan Service Alberta
Ric McIver Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour
Teresa Woo-Paw Associate Minister of Asia Pacific Relations (Reporting to the Premier)
Naresh Bhardwaj Associate Minister of Persons with Disabilities

(Reporting to the Minister of Human Services)

David Dorward Associate Minister of Aboriginal Relations (Reporting to the Premier)