EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Premier Jason Kenney has announced a small shuffle within his provincial cabinet.
The biggest move is the creation of a new ministry for economy, jobs and innovation which will be led by former Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer.
“Minister Schweitzer made important progress tackling rural crime, advancing aspects of the fair deal agenda, and creating a faster, fairer, more responsive justice system,” said Kenney.
“He will bring the same energy and drive into the newly named portfolio of Jobs, the Economy and Innovation as he oversees the implementation of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, its sector strategies and our growth agenda.”
Kenney said Schweitzer will work to implement Alberta’s recently launched economic plan to help the province recover from the “double whammy” of low oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Conference Board of Canada is forecasting Alberta will be the most heavily hit province this year with an 11 per contraction in its GDP.
Meanwhile, Tanya Fir–who held the position as Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism–has reportedly been shuffled out of the cabinet. Though Kenney did not immediately make that clear in the announcement.
Here's the official release from the province on Jason Kenney's cabinet shuffle. #yeg #yyc #ableg pic.twitter.com/W7s0gRmEzz
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) August 25, 2020
Filling Schweitzer’s position as Justice Minister will be Kaycee Madu who will move away from Municipal Affairs to take the role.
Madu will be the first man of African descent to fill this position in Canadian history.
“With his legal training and policy experience, he will bring tremendous expertise implementing key democratic reforms including citizen’s initiative and recall legislation, a review of Alberta’s Police Act and the execution of the fair deal panel recommendations endorsed by government,” said Kenney.
Finally, the Municipal Affairs portfolio will be filled by Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard who will join cabinet for the first time.
“She will create strong and successful municipal partnerships influenced by a lifetime of real-world business experience as a local entrepreneur,” said Kenney.
“She will challenge governments to focus on small business priorities and economic growth.”
Kenney also announced his principal secretary Howard Anglin is leaving his post to pursue a post-graduate fellowship at Oxford University.
Lawrence Kaumeyer, who worked under the Ralph Klein government is slated to take Howard’s place.
-With files from The Canadian Press
