High River's mayor says he's generally pleased with the ministers of environment and energy in Premier Danielle Smith's cabinet.
Brian Jean was named Minister of Energy and Minerals, and Schultz is Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.
Mayor Craig Snodgrass says when it comes to the battle against coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, he's cautiously optimistic.
"Whenever these ministerial change and you're dealing with an issue like eastern slopes coal mining, getting those connections is difficult and the nice thing is now I know Brian Jean a little bit, I've got a direct connection to him and I've gotten to know Rebecca Schultz over the last six months or so when she was the minister of municipal affairs, so I do have her direct cell phone as well and that's a bit of advantage that I have."
He's already texted Schultz to line up a meeting to start talking about the coal mining issue.
Snodgrass says he and energy minister Brian Jean talked during the UCP leadership race. Jean actually toured the area during the race so the mayor hopes they still have his support.
"We're always nervous that things, and minds, change when they get into different positions but we're on it and we've got the contacts needed and we'll keep going."
Jean and Schultz were sworn in Friday, June 9, 2023.
