Tyler Shandro (right) has been appointed as the new Minister of Labour and Immigration, while Jason Copping will take over Minister of Health (Photo: Government of Alberta livestream / YouTube)

By EverythingGP Staff

Cabinet Shuffle

Copping in as Alberta health minister as Shandro shifts to labour ministry

Sep 21, 2021 | 3:46 PM

Premier Jason Kenney has made a shuffle among his cabinet, shifting Tyler Shandro from his post as Minister of Health and replacing him with Calgary-Varsity MLA Jason Copping.

Shandro, in turn, is taking over as the Minister of Labour and Immigration, the ministerial role previously held by Copping.

This comes as Shandro and Kenney have both faced sharp criticism for their handling of the COVID-19 crisis that has pushed the provincial health-care system to the brink of collapse.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been soaring for weeks, leading to the mass cancellation of surgeries and doctors being briefed on how to decide, if necessary, who gets life-saving help and who does not.

Kenney is also facing internal backlash from his own party rank and file and caucus members over his handling of the pandemic.

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health has said the current spike was ignited when Kenney lifted almost all COVID-19 health restrictions on July 1, faster than any other province.

(With files from the Canadian Press)