Premier Scott Moe announced his new cabinet, describing it as a smaller cabinet with a new minister in each position. Previously an 18-member cabinet, Saskatchewan will now have a 16 member-cabinet.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Regina at the Government House, saying it’s a new beginning with the new government with a new mandate from the Saskatchewan voters.
I know every minister is looking forward to taking on their new responsibilities, addressing the opportunities and challenges that face Saskatchewan.
"In the recent election, many people voted to re-elect our government to ensure a strong economy and a bright future, while many others voted for change. Our new government will deliver both.
"We will ensure Saskatchewan's economy remains strong and growing, while addressing the challenges of a growing province like timely access to health care and improved learning opportunities for children in our schools."
Jim Reiter will assume the roles Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance that were previously held by former Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer. Reiter has been a minister since 2009 and will also serve as the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and Minister of Immigration and Career Training.
Two ministers will re-enter cabinet, Ken Cheveldayoff was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Warren Kaeding as Minister of Trade and Export Development.
Four ministers will be entering cabinet for the first time, Alana Ross as Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Tourism Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; Daryl Harrison as Minister of Agriculture; Travis Keisig as Minister of Environment; and Eric Schmalz as Minister of Government Relations, Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs.
There will also be a shuffling of ministers assuming new responsibilities, Everett Hindley as Minister of Education; Jeremy Cockrill becomes Minister of Health; Lori Carr becomes Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health; Tim McLeod becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Corrections and Public Safety; David Marit becomes Minister of Highways, Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement; Jeremy Harrison becomes Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and all of its commercial Crown Corporations, and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission; Terry Jenson becomes Minister of Social Services; and Colleen Young becomes Minister of Energy and Resources.
Premier Moe also named the new House leadership positions for the government caucus. They are:
" Government House Leader, Tim McLeod;
" Deputy House Leader, Lori Carr;
" Government Whip, Todd Goudy; and
" Deputy Whip, Sean Wilson.
Jamie Martens becomes the new Provincial Secretary.
Premier Moe also said that the government is planning to hold a fall sitting of the Legislature and a date for the Throne Speech will be announced soon.
The leader of the opposition, Carla Beck released a statement following the cabinet announcement and was disappointed with the appointment of Cockrill as the Minister of Health.
In a release Beck said, I am deeply troubled about Scott Moe’s choice for Minister of Health. Relations between teachers and the government hit an all-time low when Jeremy Cockrill was the Minister of Education. Saskatchewan already has the worst rates of healthcare worker retention in Canada, and Cockrill’s confrontational style will make a bad situation worse.
We can’t afford to lose even more doctors and nurses out of the province. Our friends and family already face the longest emergency room and surgical wait times in Canada.