Stelmach aims for more diversity in new cabinet

In an effort to reflect Alberta's changing demographics, Premier Ed Stelmach unveiled a cabinet Wednesday that promoted female MLAs to key positions andintroduced the province's first black cabinet minister.

Iris Evans (Sherwood Park), who has been a minister of health, municipal affairs and children's services, will take over Finance in thenew cabinetthat features seven women. That's compared to the two Stelmachnamed to his first cabinet in December 2006.

Alison Redford, a lawyer who won Calgary-Elbow back for the Conservatives in last week's election, was rewarded with the post of justice minister and attorney general.

Two other rookie MLAs join Redford at the cabinet table: Heather Klimchuk (Edmonton-Glenora) takes over Service Alberta, while Lindsay Blackett (Calgary-North West) will oversee the new post of Culture and Community Spirit.

Blackett, who becomes Alberta's first black cabinet minister, admits he didn't think he would get such an opportunity.

"When I walked into caucus last week, I realized how many talented people there are and you can only choose so many people to be in cabinet," he told CBC News Wednesday.

"So being a new guy I thought maybe another time, get some seasoning and learn the ropes, but the premier saw fit to give me that opportunity and I'll run with it."

Stelmach's first cabinet, filled with supporters of his leadership bid to replace Ralph Klein, was widely criticized as too rural, too male and too white.

This time, the premier is giving the two major cities, where two-thirds of the province's population live, more representation, with six ministers from Calgary and three from Edmonton.

"The phrase that he's used more often is he wanted a cabinet that reflects today's Alberta and I think this accomplishes that, particularly the number of women in cabinet and the diversity and I think there's more youth and energy in cabinet, which is what the premier wanted to see," said Paul Stanway, the premier's spokesman.

Stelmach was not available to comment on his new appointments Wednesday.

The new government added four new ministries to deal with culture, housing, aboriginal relations and infrastructure, which was split from the transportation portfolio.

Stelmach's inner circle will now feature 23 ministers, up five from the previous executive council.

Several of his close allies kept the same cabinet jobs they held before the March 3 election when the Tories won 72 of the legislature's 83 seats.

Here is the new cabinet:

• Aboriginal Affairs - Gene Zwozdesky (Edmonton-Mill Creek).
• Advanced Education and Technology- Doug Horner (Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert).
• Agriculture - George Groenveld (Highwood).
• Children and Youth Services - JanisTarchuk (Banff-Cochrane).
• Culture and Community Spirit - Lindsay Blackett (Calgary-North West).
• Education - Dave Hancock (Edmonton-Whitemud).
• Employmentand Immigration - Hector Goudreau (Dunvegan-Central Peace).
• Energy - Mel Knight (Grande Prairie-Smoky).
• Environment - Rob Renner (Medicine Hat).
• Finance and Enterprise - Iris Evans (Sherwood Park).
• HealthandWellness - Ron Liepert (Calgary-West).
• Housing and UrbanAffairs - Yvonne Fritz (Calgary-Cross).
• Infrastructure - Jack Hayden (Drumheller-Stettler).
• International and Intergovernmental Relations - Ron Stevens (Calgary-Glenmore).
• Justice and Attorney General- Alison Redford (Calgary-Elbow).
• Municipal Affairs - Ray Danyluk (Lac La Biche-St. Paul).
• Seniors and Community Supports - Mary Anne Jablonski(Red Deer-North).
• Service Alberta - Heather Klimchuk (Edmonton-Glenora).
• Solicitor General and Public Security- Fred Lindsay (Stony Plain).
• Sustainable Resource Development - Ted Morton (Foothills-Rocky View).
• Tourism, Parks and Recreation- Cindy Ady (Calgary-Shaw).
• Treasury Board- Lloyd Snelgrove (Vermilion-Lloydminster).
• Transportation- Luke Ouellette (Innisfail-Sylvan Lake).