Released on May 29, 2009
New Cabinet Balances Youth and Experience
Premier Brad Wall today made a number of changes to the provincial cabinet, appointing four new ministers and changing the responsibilities of a number of other ministers. The overall size of the cabinet remains unchanged at 18, including the Premier.
The new ministers are:
- Dustin Duncan - Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport;
- Jeremy Harrison - Minister of Municipal Affairs;
- Jim Reiter - Minister of Highways and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Corporation (STC); and
- D. F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert - Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing.
Wall said the four new ministers all have solid track records as MLAs and he expects them to make a strong contribution at the cabinet table.
"Our first cabinet got our government off to a tremendous start, both in terms of building on Saskatchewan's economic momentum and sharing the benefits of a growing economy with all Saskatchewan people," Wall said. "I am confident these new ministers and our new cabinet will keep Saskatchewan moving forward.
"The new ministers include three of our youngest MLAs and will give our cabinet a strong combination of youth and experience."
Wall thanked the members who are leaving cabinet for their contributions.
"All of these ministers played a key role in charting the course for our first 18 months in government and I know they will continue to do so in their various new roles in the government caucus," Wall said.
Veteran MLA Ken Krawetz will continue to serve as Deputy Premier and Minister of Education. The other 12 members of the new cabinet are:
- Rod Gantefoer - Minister of Finance and Government House Leader;
- Bob Bjornerud - Minister of Agriculture and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation;
- June Draude -Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), Information Technology Office (ITO), Information Services Corporation (ISC), and the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Provincial Secretary;
- Bill Boyd - Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister responsible for SaskPower, the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP), Innovation Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC);
- Don McMorris - Minister of Health;
- Donna Harpauer - Minister of Social Services;
• Don Morgan - Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Minister responsible for SaskTel; - Ken Cheveldayoff - Minister of Enterprise and Minister responsible for SaskEnergy;
- Nancy Heppner - Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for SaskWater;
- Bill Hutchinson - Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations and Minister responsible for Northern Affairs and Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC);
- Rob Norris - Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour and Minister responsible for Immigration; and
- Christine Tell - Minister of Government Services and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).
Wall also named eight Legislative Secretaries with special responsibilities for specific tasks. They are:
- Joceline Schriemer - Legislative Secretary to the Premier, At-Risk Youth Initiative;
- Delbert Kirsch - Legislative Secretary to the Premier, Saskatchewan Heritage Initiative;
- Greg Brkich - Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Agriculture Programs Innovation Initiative;
- Serge LeClerc - Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, Corrections Facilities Initiative;
- Laura Ross - Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Health, Surgical Wait Times and Long-Term Care Initiative;
- Greg Ottenbreit - Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Environment, Recycling Initiative;
- Fred Bradshaw - Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Resources, Heavy Oil and Northern Resource Development; and
- Nadine Wilson - Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for Immigration, New Citizen Initiative.
The eight Legislative Secretaries will not receive any extra pay for their duties.
Randy Weekes continues in his role as Government Whip while Denis Allchurch remains as Deputy Whip. Delbert Kirsch becomes the new Deputy Government House Leader.
Wall also named the Chairs of the various legislative committees. They are:
- Tim McMillan - Chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies;
- Greg Ottenbreit - Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Services;
- Darryl Hickie - Chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy;
- Warren Michelson - Chair of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice; and
- Serge LeClerc - Chair of the Private Bills Committee.
Mike Chisholm will be the Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, which is chaired by a member of the Official Opposition.
Doreen Eagles continues to serve as Government Caucus Chair while Dan D'Autremont will be the Chair of a new Legislation and Regulation Review Committee.
Lyle Stewart and Wayne Elhard have both been named to the Treasury Board, the cabinet committee that oversees preparation of the provincial budget and government spending.
Don Toth continues to serve as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly while Greg Brkich continues as Deputy Speaker. The government will nominate Wayne Elhard to be the new Deputy Chair of Committees in the Legislature. Glen Hart will continue to serve as a member of the legislative committee on Human Services.
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For more information, contact:
Leanne Persicke
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1321
Email: leanne.persicke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-540-7083
