New cabinet ministers were sworn in on Thursday morning (Photo: Government of Alberta / YouTube)

By Chris Brown

Cabinet Shuffle

Kenney shuffles cabinet to renew focus on economic recovery

Jul 8, 2021 | 10:56 AM

Premier Jason Kenney has added new MLAs to the provincial cabinet and moved others to different portfolios as the government shifts its focus to recovery coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kenney said the past 16 months have not only been a once-in-a-century public health crisis, but also a once-in-a-century economic crisis. He added the collapse of energy prices meant Alberta was hit the hardest.

He said the government will do everything in its power to accelerate economic growth, to create jobs, to grow the economy, get pipelines built, and get a fair deal within Confederation.

“This government will renew its focus on the economic recovery plan. Now this is a time of renewal for Alberta and that requires renewal in the government’s leadership team,” said Kenney.

Rajan Sawhney, MLA for Calgary-North East is moving from minister of community and social services, to take over as minister of transportation.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Ric McIver was heading up both the transportation portfolio and the municipal affairs minister for the past few months after Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard was removed from cabinet over the party’s Christmas holiday travel scandal in December. McIver remains the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

MLA for Calgary-Peigan Tanya Fir becomes associate minister of Red Tape Reduction. She lost committee responsibilities in January after travelling outside of the province over the holidays.

Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, becomes associate minister of rural economic development, under the ministry of jobs, economy and innovation.

Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, becomes associate minister of immigration and multiculturalism, under the ministry of labour and immigration.

Calgary-Glenmore MLA Whitney Issik becomes associate minister of status of women, under the ministry of culture and status of women. She also becomes the chief government whip.

Ron Orr, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, becomes the minister of culture, taking over for Leela Sharon Aheer.

Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary-West and currently the chief government whip, becomes associate minister of mental health and addictions.

The former associate minister of mental health and addictions, Calgary-Foothills MLA Jason Luan, becomes the minister of community and social services.

Two non-ministry changes were also announced by the government today.

Joseph Schow, MLA for Cardston-Siksika and currently the deputy government whip, becomes deputy government house leader. Brad Rutherford, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, becomes deputy government whip.

The cabinet shuffle comes roughly halfway through the United Conservative Party’s term.

(CHAT News Today – with files from Shaun Penner)