Released on September 21, 1998
Premier Roy Romanow today announced a major Cabinet shuffle. SixMinisters are assuming new responsibilities. Three government MLAs
are joining Cabinet.
A new team has been appointed to manage the health system.
Premier Romanow paid tribute to the work of the Hon. Clay Serby in the
health portfolio.
"Clay Serby has completed a gruelling year - as chair of the
provincial health ministers at a time of almost unprecedented pressure
in national health policy and as Saskatchewan's health minister at a
time of tremendous change in our own health system. He has served
both Saskatchewan and Canada extremely well. I look forward to
working closely with him in his new portfolio."
The Hon. Pat Atkinson is appointed Minister of Health.
"Pat Atkinson has been a strong, progressive, imaginative and highly
effective hand on the tiller at Education for more than five years,"
Romanow said. "She and her family have deep roots in this province.
She's a veteran member of our party, our caucus and our government.
She has been remarkably effective at working with a constellation of
communities and players to move a complex public service forward. I'm
now looking to her to provide the same quality of leadership in
Health. I've asked her to take stock of our work in the health care
area so far and to come forward this spring with our next steps."
Judy Junor, MLA, is appointed Associate Minister of Health.
"Judy Junor is an excellent example of our caucus' and our
government's ability to renew itself with strong, independent and
engaged provincial and community leaders," Romanow said. "She
brings a great deal to this job - years of experience as a
practising nurse and a profound understanding of health issues as
past-president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses.
"I've asked her to focus specifically on the needs of health care
providers during this period of collective bargaining in the
health system; to look carefully into health issues brought
forward by citizens; and to work closely with Minister Atkinson,
meeting and working with communities and stakeholders across the
province.
"Judy Junor is a key member of our new Health team."
The Hon. Berny Wiens is appointed Provincial Secretary. He
retains his role as Minister of Intergovernmental and
Aboriginal Affairs.
"With this appointment Minister Wiens assumes direct
responsibility for numerous protocol and community matters and
becomes our liaison with our province's vibrant Fransaskois
community," Romanow said. "It's a good fit with his
responsibilities as Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal
Affairs."
The Hon. Janice MacKinnon is appointed Minister responsible
for the Information Highway. She retains her role as
Government House Leader and Minister of Economic and
Co-operative Development.
"Information technology is a foundation of our new economy,"
Romanow said. "Information technology is also a key tool of
government - and requires focused attention by government. It is
highly appropriate that our Minister of Economic and Co-operative
Development assume responsibility for this area."
The Hon. Joanne Crofford is appointed Minister of Labour and
Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
"Joanne Crofford has done an excellent job working with business
and labour to improve the quality of training in this province,"
Romanow said. "I've now asked her to focus on our partnerships
with working people, as we continue to build a better,
higher-skill economy."
The Hon. Clay Serby is appointed Minister of Education.
"We need Clay Serby's cool-minded consensus-building in Education
to continue Pat Atkinson's good work in this portfolio, working
in close partnership with parents and educators to continue
building one of Canada's best education systems," Romanow said.
The Hon. Maynard Sonntag is appointed Minister of
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.
"Young people are extremely optimistic about their future and
they want to build those futures right here in Saskatchewan,"
Romanow said. "I'm appointing a young, energetic minister to
work with young people and the educational institutions that
bridge them into the workforce and the rest of their lives."
Harry Van Mulligen, MLA is appointed Minister of Social
Services, Minister responsible for Seniors and the
Disabilities Directorate, and Deputy Government House
Leader.
"Harry Van Mulligen is a diligent, thoughtful, veteran member of
the Legislature - and one of its sharpest wits," Romanow said.
"I've asked Mr. Van Mulligen to take on one of the core
commitments of our government - tackling poverty. Our government
introduced a fundamental reform of the welfare system this year.
Harry Van Mulligen's task is to take up those reforms and
complete their implementation."
Doreen Hamilton, MLA is appointed Minister responsible for
the Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation and the
Public Service Commission.
"Doreen Hamilton has served ably as one of our most articulate
and effective government MLAs," Romanow said. "She will bring
those qualities to her Cabinet duties. As a former Regina city
councillor, I've also asked her to pay particular attention to
regional issues in and around the capital."
Premier Romanow also announced today that the Department of
Municipal Government has been renamed the Department of Municipal
Affairs, Culture and Housing, in order to better describe its
functions.
The size of the provincial Cabinet remains unchanged at 19.
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For more information, contact:
Julianne Jack
Media Services
Regina
Phone: (306)787-6349