Premier Brad Wall has made major changes to the provincial cabinet.
In the cabinet shuffle, Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan was assigned the portfolio of Energy and Resources, while also becoming the minister responsible for SaskTel and SaskEnergy. Duncan was previously the health minister.
“In the April election, we were fortunate that voters elected a number of very talented and capable new MLAs, creating the opportunity for renewal in our government,” said Wall in a news release. “The new cabinet will have a strong blend of experience and new faces and will serve Saskatchewan well as we work to meet the opportunities and challenges facing our province.”
Five MLAs are entering cabinet, including four who become ministers for the first time: Tina Beaudry-Mellor becomes Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Dave Marit becomes Minister of Highways and Infrastructure; Bronwyn Eyre becomes Minister of Advanced Education; Joe Hargrave becomes Minister of Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC); and Ken Cheveldayoff re-enters cabinet as Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Veteran MLA and minister Don Morgan becomes Saskatchewan’s new Deputy Premier. Morgan will continue to serve as Minister of Education and Minister of Labour.
“Don Morgan has always been a leader in our government’s caucus and cabinet,” said Wall. “His sound judgment and the respect he has earned among his colleagues made Don the clear choice for Deputy Premier.”
Four other ministers retain their current cabinet responsibilities. They are: Finance Minister Kevin Doherty; Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart; Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit; and Justice and SaskBuilds Minister Gordon Wyant, whose responsibilities will now also include corrections and policing. Wyant also becomes Minister responsible for SaskPower.
In addition to Duncan, five other ministers have changed portfolios: Jim Reiter is Minister of Health; Donna Harpauer becomes Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs; Jeremy Harrison becomes Minister of the Economy, Minister responsible for the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA); Scott Moe becomes Minister of Environment, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency; and Christine Tell becomes Minister of Central Services, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission.
The size of cabinet has been reduced by one minister to 17, including the Premier. Wall noted that represents about a five per cent reduction in the size of cabinet and will save taxpayers about $450,000 a year. “We are looking for about five per cent in savings across government in order to balance the budget,” said Wall.
“While reducing the size of cabinet amounts to a small savings compared to the size of the overall budget, I thought it was important to start at the top as we look to reduce the costs to taxpayers all across government.”
Paul Merriman becomes the new Government House Leader and Greg Lawrence has been appointed Government Whip. “The priorities of the new cabinet will be keeping Saskatchewan’s economy strong while carefully managing the province’s finances through this challenging time,” said Wall.
“I am confident we have the right group of women and men to meet this challenge and keep Saskatchewan strong.”
