NEW PREMIER AND CABINET SWORN IN

Released on February 8, 2001

Premier Lorne Calvert has appointed a new cabinet and created a Rural

Revitalization Secretariat, a Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation, and

appointed two ministers to the Department of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal

Affairs with one minister responsible for intergovernmental affairs and one

minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.



Three MLAs are appointed to cabinet for the first time and nine ministers have

new responsibilities.



"Today we begin an important period of transition and change," Calvert said.

"As a new premier I have the responsibility of setting new directions and new

priorities for our government. I will not set that agenda alone. The new

cabinet, along with their caucus colleagues, will set the course for the

upcoming session of the legislature."



The new cabinet is comprised of:



Clay Serby, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food

Janice MacKinnon, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation

Pat Atkinson, Minister of Highways and Transportation, Minister

Responsible for Rural Revitalization and Deputy Government House Leader

Eldon Lautermilch, Minister of Economic and Co-operative Development

and Government House Leader

Keith Goulet, Minister of Northern Affairs

Joanne Crofford, Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation, Minister

Responsible for the Information Highway

Eric Cline, Minister of Finance

John Nilson, Minister of Health, Minister Responsible for Seniors

Maynard Sonntag, Minister of Energy and Mines

Harry Van Mulligen, Minister of Social Services, Minister Responsible

for Disability Issues

Doreen Hamilton, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Property

Management Corporation, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Glenn Hagel, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training

Buckley Belanger, Minister of Environment and Resource Management

Chris Axworthy, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of

Intergovernmental Affairs

Jim Melenchuk, Minister of Education

Kim Trew, Minister of Labour, Minister Responsible for Gaming

Pat Lorje, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Provincial Secretary

Ron Osika, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing



"Over the next few weeks this cabinet and caucus will develop the agenda for

the legislative session and finalize a budget," Calvert said.



Calvert said the government's overall mandate is:

to listen more effectively to the needs of all our people;

to act to create opportunities and improve the quality of life of

people no matter where they live;

to foster pride in who we are; and

to build a just, civil and prosperous province based upon the spirit of

Saskatchewan people.



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For more information, contact:



Anna Arneson

Media Services

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0850