Greg Ottenbreit andWarren Kaeding said they’re honoured to serve in Scott Moe’s newly formed cabinet as he takes his first steps forward as Saskatchewan’s Premier.
Scott Moe was sworn in as Premier on Feb. 2. He announced the appointment of members in his first cabinet.
Moe chose 17 men and women, keeping certain members from Brad Wall’s cabinet while adding new MLAs to his team.
Ottenbreit (MLA for Yorkton) held onto his position as Minister of Rural and Remote Health.
“I think the Premier made some good choices,” he said. “[We’ve got] capable people.”
Kaeding (MLA for Melville-Saltcoats) was appointed as Minister of Government Relations and Minister of First Nations, Metis, and Northern Affairs. This appointment represents Kaeding’s first time as a cabinet member.
“It’s a tremendous honour,” he said.
Kaeding is excited to work with Moe, as he considers the Premier to be a mentor.
The new cabinet met for the first time on Tuesday.
“It’s one of the most dynamic and ready-to-work cabinets out there,” Kaeding said.
Both Ottenbreit and Kaeding want to hit the ground running with the cabinet.
“There’s a lot of changes in healthcare right now,” Ottenbreit said. “We’re going to continue on with the work Premier Wall led.”
Five MLAs are entering cabinet, including one who becomes a minister for the first time:
• Gordon Wyant becomes Deputy Premier and Minister of Education;
• Jeremy Harrison becomes Minister of Export and Trade Development and Minister of Immigration and Careers Training;
• Tina Beaudry-Mellor becomes Minister of Advanced Education and Minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan, and Status of Women;
• Ken Cheveldayoff becomes Minister of Central Services and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission and the Provincial Capital Commission;
• Warren Kaeding, becomes Minister of Government Relations and Minister of First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs.
Two ministers remain in cabinet but change portfolios:
• Bronwyn Eyre becomes Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister responsible for SaskWater and SaskEnergy;
• Christine Tell becomes Minister of Corrections and Policing, and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation.
Ten ministers retain their current cabinet responsibilities:
• Don Morgan remains Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister responsible for Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and Workers’ Compensation Board while adding responsibility for the Global Transportation Hub and SaskTel;
• Donna Harpauer remains Minister of Finance;
• Lyle Stewart remains Minister of Agriculture and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance;
• Jim Reiter remains Minister of Health;
• Dustin Duncan remains Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency and SaskPower;
• Greg Ottenbreit remains Minister of Rural and Remote Health;
• David Marit remains Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, and Minister responsible for SaskBuilds and Priority Saskatchewan;
• Joe Hargrave remains Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance;
• Paul Merriman remains Minister of Social Services;
• Gene Makowsky remains Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority while adding responsibility for Tourism Saskatchewan.
“This team of 17 women and men represent many of the qualities that make our province great,” said Moe in a prepared release. “As cabinet, we will set targets and continue to strive to reach them. As a team, we will stand with the people of our province. As a team, we will stand with Saskatchewan.”
