Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr becomes Minister of Culture in Premier Kenney Cabinet shuffle
3 years ago
Ron Orr #RonOrr
Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, who becomes Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development, under the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. Horner’s role will be to support Minister Doug Schweitzer in making sure Alberta’s Recovery Plan delivers results for rural and remote Alberta communities, working across government on important strategic initiatives such as expanding rural broadband internet and irrigation networks.
Rajan Sawhney, MLA for Calgary-North East and currently the Minister of Community and Social Services, becomes the Minister of Transportation. Officials say Sawhney is anticipated to deliver on Alberta’s historic Capital Plan investment of $20.3 billion over the next three years, including Alberta’s $1.53-billion investment in Calgary’s Green Line LRT project – anticipated to create 90,000 new jobs.
Tanya Fir, MLA for Calgary-Peigan, becomes Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction. Fir is expected to continue to deliver on Alberta’s aggressive efforts to eliminate burdensome regulations, improve small business competitiveness and get Alberta’s economy moving.
Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, becomes Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism, under the Ministry of Labour and Immigration. He will work with Minister Jason Copping in rolling out the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program and the Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan. He will also be tasked with reaching out to ethnic and faith communities and working across government to address recent attacks on vulnerable individuals and communities.
Whitney Issik, MLA for Calgary-Glenmore, becomes the Associate Minister of Status of Women, under the Ministry of Culture and Status of Women, and the chief government whip. She will work to ensure that women are a driving force in Alberta’s economic recovery, recognizing the disproportionate impact of the global COVID-19 recession on women.
Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary-West and currently the chief government whip, becomes Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Ellis is expected to continue to implement Alberta’s recovery-oriented systems of care model across the province.
Jason Luan, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and currently the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, becomes the Minister of Community and Social Services. He is anticipated to focus on delivering supports for vulnerable Albertans as they emerge from COVID-19, helping to bridge unemployed and underemployed Albertans into good jobs.
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Other non-ministry changes:
Joseph Schow, MLA for Cardston-Siksika and currently the deputy government whip, becomes deputy government house leader.
Brad Rutherford, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, becomes deputy government whip.
“Alberta is leading Canada out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into strong economic growth,” says Premier Jason Kenney, in a government press release. “This renewal of our cabinet will support Alberta’s Recovery Plan, a plan to build, to diversify the economy and to create jobs. With six new voices and strong, experienced ministers moving into important economic roles, Alberta’s government is ready to deliver a strong recovery for all Albertans.”
The Premier also announced the appointment of Pam Livingston as chief of staff, with acting chief of staff Larry Kaumeyer returning to his previous role as principal secretary to the Premier. Livingston has an extensive history in senior roles with the Government of Alberta, most recently as the chief of staff to the Minister of Environment and Parks and deputy chief of staff to the Premier. Kaumeyer has served as a senior executive throughout his private sector career.
“I would like to thank both Larry and Pam for their tremendous support and leadership as we navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic,” adds Kenney. “And I look forward to working with them as the government focuses on Alberta’s Recovery Plan and fighting for a fair deal for Albertans.”
