There are significant changes to the provincial cabinet table and some members from the Northwest region are among those included in the shuffle.
Shuffled into the cabinet is Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA Scott Moe, who now takes over as Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for SaskWater and the Water Security Agency. Rosthern-Shellbrook includes a wide area to the northeast of the Battlefords.
Shuffled out of cabinet completely is Randy Weekes. The Biggar MLA had been Minister of Rural and Remote Health, but has been replaced in that capacity by Lloydminster MLA Tim McMillan.
"Shortly after taking office, our government conducted a Patient First review to ensure our priority in the health system was on the patient and front-line services," said Premier Brad Wall in a statement announcing the changes Thursday.
"I have asked Minister McMillan to do a Patient First update to make sure we continue to focus on patients and that health care dollars are getting to the front lines of care as they should. Specifically, I am asking him to look at the balance of resources going to administration versus front-line staff, services and care."
There have also been six new additions to the legislative secretary ranks and one of them is Larry Doke, MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford.
He is now legislative secretary to the Minister of Highways, which seems a good fit given Doke's longstanding interest in highways issues in the region.
Doke will be reporting to a new Minister of Highways. Nancy Heppner, who takes over that role, will also be minister responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation.
Overall, about half the cabinet is affected in the reorganization. Among the biggest names to move was Don McMorris who has shifted over from highways to become minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), Saskatchewan Government Insurance, the Public Service Commission and the government's Lean Initiative.
That puts McMorris in a portfolio that will deal directly with the growing issue of private liquor retail options in the province.
In addition to McMillan and Heppner, other current ministers on the move include Kevin Doherty who becomes Minister of Advanced Education and Minister responsible for SaskTel, and Donna Harpauer who replaces June Draude as Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the Status of Women.
Draude is leaving cabinet completely, as is Rob Norris, following news this spring that neither of them will be seeking re-election.
A former minister returning to cabinet is Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison, who becomes Associate Minister of the Economy responsible for trade, tourism, innovation and immigration.
Among the new cabinet ministers are Jennifer Campeau who becomes Minister of Central Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Corporation; and Mark Docherty who becomes Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission.
Despite his recent announcement that he does not plan to run again in 2016, Ken Krawetz will remain in cabinet as Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance. Also remaining in their portfolios are Dustin Duncan as Minister of Health; Don Morgan as Minister of Education, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board; Lyle Stewart as Minister of Agriculture and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation; Christine Tell as Minister responsible for Corrections and Policing.
Three existing cabinet ministers getting some additional responsibilities include Bill Boyd, Minister of the Economy and Minister responsible for SaskPower and the Global Transportation Hub, who now adds responsibility for Energy and Resources; Jim Reiter, Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs, who adds responsibility for SaskEnergy; and Gordon Wyant, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, who adds responsibility for SaskBuilds.
The number of ministers including the Premier stays at 18.
Ken Cheveldayoff departs cabinet to become the Government House Leader while Corey Tochor becomes Deputy Leader. Greg Ottenbreit remains Government Whip while Fred Bradshaw becomes Deputy Whip. Nadine Wilson becomes Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary to the Premier.
In addition to Doke, other new legislative secretaries are Greg Brkich to the Minister of the Economy (Rail Transportation Initiative); Wayne Elhard to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (International and Diplomatic Engagement); Victoria Jurgens to the Minister of Government Relations (Northern Saskatchewan); Warren Michelson to the Minister of the Economy (Manufacturing Sector); and Roger Parent to Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for SaskBuilds (Priority Saskatchewan Initiative). Russ Marchuk, Paul Merriman, Kevin Phillips and Greg Lawrence maintain their existing Legislative Secretary duties, according to the government news release.
