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Duncan/opposition discuss cabinet shuffle

The opposition is criticizing Premier Brad Wall's recent cabinet shuffle.
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(L-R) Premier Brad Wall watched as Rick Mantey, clerk of the Executive Council, swore-in Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan as Saskatchewan's new Minister of the Environment, recently, at Government House in Regina.

The opposition is criticizing Premier Brad Wall's recent cabinet shuffle.

Regina Rosemount MLA Trent Wotherspoon, NDP critic for the region, said that management of debt and deficit, issues in heath care and the cost of living have not been addressed by the recent cabinet shuffle.

"The fact that (Wall) didn't shuffle the Healthcare Minister (Don McMorris) is something that we would criticize," said Wotherspoon. "Rural doctor shortages, surgical wait times and challenges in long-term care aren't getting any better."

He said that he wishes Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan well in his new position as Minister of the Environment and also Minister in charge of SaskEnergy and SaskWater, however he hopes that he will retract legislation drawn-up by previous Environment Minister Nancy Heppner as far as protected wildlife land is concerned.

"I hope to hear that he rips up the poorly derived legislation that has sold-off protected wildlife habitat lands," said Wotherspoon. "Lands that were bought with purpose now put up for sale without consultation with Saskatchewan people."

Duncan responded by saying that the Sask Party is currently evaluating and assessing Crown Lands.

"We'll identify land that will remain part of the government and lands that then could be sold to people that currently lease the land," said Duncan. "Some of that land will be sold with and some without conservation easements attached to it."

Duncan said he enjoyed the last year as Minister of Parks, Tourism, Culture and Sport. A few highlights for Duncan were signing a five-year funding agreement with Sask Lottery and being part of the Saskatchewan Pavilion at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

"I'm most grateful that I got to be a part of the introduction of the first cultural policy in Saskatchewan in the last 25 years - The Pride of Saskatchewan," said Duncan.