Released on June 27, 1997
Premier Roy Romanow announced a major Cabinet shuffle today, renewingand reinvigorating the government team as it heads into the second
half of its current mandate.
Half of Cabinet has changed. Seven Ministers are assuming new
responsibilities. Two vacancies are filled by new members of Cabinet.
Nine Ministers remain in their current positions.
"I am announcing major changes in our government team, in order to
sharpen and focus our work for the second half of our mandate,"
Romanow said. "The priority is building the economy.
"Two years ago we gave our commitment to work on jobs and economic
development with the same determination we balanced the budget. We
are going to deliver on that commitment investing in people,
preparing our province for the 21st century.
"The government will also renew its work on our other key priorities
for this term of office -- strengthening the quality of education and
training; improving the quality of care in the health system;
fundamentally reforming social services; modernizing our transport
system; and preserving balanced budgets and our province's hard-won
financial freedom."
New appointments announced today:
Deputy Premier Dwain Lingenfelter becomes Minister
responsible for the Crown Investments Corporation.
"Crown corporations are a crucial engine of our economy," Premier
Romanow said. "Deputy Premier Lingenfelter is taking on the very
challenging task of ensuring that Crowns continue to fulfil that
role in the years to come.
"Consistent with the recommendations of the Crown Review process,
I am not permanently appointing Ministers to oversee individual
Crowns. The Deputy Premier, assisted by colleagues on the CIC
Board, will therefore oversee the public interest throughout the
Crown sector."
Hon. Janice MacKinnon becomes Minister of Economic and
Co-operative Development. She also becomes Government House
Leader.
"I am appointing the Minister who eliminated the deficit and
delivered four straight balanced budgets to oversee job creation
and economic development. I said we would tackle these
priorities with the same determination we balanced the budget. I
meant it," Romanow said.
"As government House Leader she will oversee our work in the
Saskatchewan Legislature. I expect the House will be even
livelier than usual, now that we are heading into the second half
of our mandate."
Hon. Berny Wiens becomes Minister of Intergovernmental and
Aboriginal Affairs.
"Minister Wiens has demonstrated his ability to master complex
issues with his work on Crown Review. Now I am asking him to
tackle two of the toughest issues facing our government:
intergovernmental affairs, and the form of our province's future
relationship with aboriginal people," Romanow said. "Inter-governmental affairs includes completing negotiations on a
national child benefit; equalization; and the toughest of all
the unity file."
Hon. Ned Shillington becomes Provincial Secretary and Deputy
Government House Leader.
"Minister Shillington will oversee the crafting of our
Legislative agenda over the next two years as Chair of the
Legislative Review Committee. He will be a key player in
managing Government business in the Legislature. And the
Government will benefit from his long experience and good
judgement as Vice-chair of the Planning and Priorities Committee
and as an anchor member of Treasury Board and the Crown
Investments Corporation board," Romanow said. "I am very
grateful to Minister Shillington for agreeing to shoulder these
responsibilities while in the early stages of rehabilitation from
surgery."
Hon. Eric Cline becomes Minister of Finance.
"Minister Cline will ensure Saskatchewan maintains the financial
freedom to pursue job creation and economic development. Our
government will maintain an unbending commitment to fiscal
responsibility. We will manage surpluses through a balanced
approach: building a competitive tax system; reducing the weight
of public debt; and investing in people," Romanow said.
Hon. Clay Serby becomes Minister of Health.
"We have completed health reform, and our much-improved financial
situation has allowed us to reinvest in health care as well as to
backfill federal health cutbacks," Romanow said. "Minister
Serby's task is therefore to work with health providers to ensure
we continue to improve the quality of care especially
community-based preventive care."
Hon. Joanne Crofford becomes Minister of Post-Secondary
Education and Skills Training. She retains her
responsibility for the Gaming Corporation.
"Education and training are key to better futures for our young
people; key to building a competitive workforce; key to our
future prosperity; and key to reducing poverty. Minister
Crofford will oversee the implementation of our
made-in-Saskatchewan training strategy, as the federal government
withdraws from the field."
Judy Bradley, MLA for Weyburn, joins Cabinet as Minister for
Highways and Transportation and Minister responsible for the
Status of Women.
"Ms. Bradley's key task will be to work in partnership with
communities, transporters and producers to implement our
$2.5 billion, 10-year investment plan for our province's road
network," Romanow said. "I am also relying on her to strongly
represent the interests of communities throughout southern
Saskatchewan in Cabinet."
Maynard Sonntag, MLA for Meadow Lake, joins Cabinet as Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Property
Management Corporation (SPMC) and the Liquor and Gaming Authority.
"Mister Sonntag is taking on several important jobs. SPMC is
continuing an ambitious reorganization designed to save
taxpayers' money. And there is never a lack of issues facing the
Liquor and Gaming Authority," Romanow said. "He will also speak
for the people of Northwestern Saskatchewan in Cabinet."
The balance of Cabinet remain in positions they currently hold:
Hon. Robert Mitchell, Q.C., Minister of Labour.
Hon. Patricia Atkinson, Minister of Education.
Hon. Lorne Calvert, Minister of Social Services, Minister
Responsible for Seniors, and Minister Responsible for
the Disabilities Directorate.
Hon. Eldon Lautermilch, Minister of Energy and Mines.
Hon. Keith Goulet, Minister of Northern Affairs.
Hon. Carol Teichrob, Minister of Municipal Government.
Hon. Eric Upshall, Minister of Agriculture and Food.
Hon. John Nilson, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General.
Hon. Lorne Scott, Minister of Environment and Resource
Management.
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For more information, contact:
Judy Samuelson
Chief of Staff to the Premier
Regina
Phone: (306)787-1910