Premier Alison Redford shuffles cabinet - Action News
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Premier Alison Redford shuffles cabinet

A number of ministers have been moved to new jobs and some have been demoted in a cabinet shuffle announced late Friday afternoon by Alberta Premier Alison Redford.

Dave Hancock is new deputy premier, Lukaszuk moved to Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

A number of ministers have been moved to new jobs and some have been demoted in a cabinet shuffle announced late Friday afternoon by Alberta Premier Alison Redford.

Mostly notably, Thomas Lukaszuk is nolonger deputy premier.

That job will now be filled by former Human Services Minister Dave Hancock, who is also the new minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.

Lukaszuk is now in charge of the new ministry of Jobs, Skills and Training.

Diana McQueen has been moved from Environment and Sustainable Resource Development to the Energy portfolio.

Former energy minister Ken Hughes is now minister of Municipal Affairs. Doug Griffiths have been moved from Municipal Affairs to Service Alberta.

Ric McIver was moved from Transportation to Infrastructure. Manmeet Bhullar takes over from Hancock as Human Services Minister.

Robin Campbell takes over from McQueen in Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Some ministers are staying in their portfolios: Fred Horne in Health, Jonathan Denis in Justice and Solicitor General, Jeff Johnston in Education, DougHorner in Treasury Board and Finance, Heather Klimchuk in Culture, Cal Dallas in International and Intergovernmental Relations and Richard Starke in Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

Opposition criticizes shuffle

Following the release of the cabinet shuffle, Alberta New Democrat leader Brian Mason spoke out against the changes, saying taxpayers should not be forced to pay for Redfords expanding cabinet.

Mason suggested the addition of several new positions within the cabinet was Redfords attempt to managecaucus discontent.

Handing out cabinet positions like candy is no way to manage a government, he said. The premier is attempting to buy the loyalty of her fractured caucus with money that should be going to health care and education. Overall we are seeing a bloated, expensive cabinet, appointed for political expediency rather than merit.

Mason also noted that more than half of Redfords caucus has a specific portfolio and will get extra pay.

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith also criticized the size of the new cabinet.

Smith said she was disappointed that several ministers would be continuing in their roles despite strong criticism particularly in the financial and health portfolios.

A cabinet shuffle is an opportunity to change direction and signify a new vision. Unfortunately for Albertans, Premier Redford has decided to stick with the status quo on the major issues we face as a province.

The Premier has decided to stick with her Finance Minister, despite presiding over a budget that he cant balance, and her Health Minister, despite running system that he cant fix.

New Cabinet

Italics - indicatesa position that has changed hands

* - indicates a newly created position

Alison Redford

Premier

President of Executive Council
Dave Hancock

Deputy Premier

Minister of Innovation & Advanced Education
Doug Horner

President of Treasury Board

Minister of Finance
Thomas Lukaszuk Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour*
Cal Dallas Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations
Diana McQueen Minister of Energy
Fred Horne Minister of Health
Ken Hughes Minister of Municipal Affairs
Jeff Johnson

Minister of Education

Ministerial Liaison to the Canadian Forces
Verlyn Olson

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Deputy House Leader
Jonathan Denis

Minister of Justice & Solicitor General

Deputy House Leader
Doug Griffiths Minister of Service Alberta
Robin Campbell

Minister of Environment & Sustainable Resource Development

Government House Leader
Heather Klimchuk Minister of Culture
Frank Oberle

Minister of Aboriginal Relations

Deputy House Leader
Manmeet Bhullar Minister of Human Services
Wayne Drysdale Minister of Transportation
Ric McIver Minister of Infrastructure
Richard Starke Minister of Tourism, Parks, & Recreation

Associate Ministers

Dave Rodney Wellness
Teresa Woo-Paw

International and Intergovernmental Relations (Asia)

Kyle Fawcett

Recovery & Reconstruction for South West Alberta

Greg Weadick

Recovery & Reconstruction for South East Alberta

Rick Fraser

Recovery & Reconstruction for High River

Don Scott

Accountability Transparency and Transformation

Sandra Jansen

Family and Community Safety

Steve Young

Public Safety*

Dave Quest Seniors
Donna Kennedy-Glans Electricity and Renewable Energy*
Naresh Bhardwaj Persons with Disabilities