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March 12, 2008
Premier Stelmach sets out priorities; names new Cabinet, reorganizes portfolios
Changes to government structure reflect government priorities
Edmonton... Premier Ed Stelmach has laid out the priorities for his new administration, reorganizing portfolios and adding four new ministries. The Premier also named his new Cabinet which features new faces and new assignments for previous members, and introduces the role of parliamentary assistants who will help support ministers on key projects.
"This Cabinet and new government structure will focus on building a stronger Alberta and improving the lives of Albertans,” said Premier Stelmach. “The Cabinet team balances experience and new perspectives and is well skilled for the work ahead.”
The new Cabinet will be focused on five priorities:
- ensuring Alberta’s energy resources are developed in an environmentally sustainable way;
- increasing access to quality health care and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of health care service delivery;
- enhancing value-added activity, increasing innovation, and improving the long-run sustainability of Alberta’s economy;
- reducing crime so Albertans feel safe in their communities; and
- providing the roads, schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing economy and population.
Changes to the government structure will help better meet these priorities.
- Government’s increased focus on culture is reflected in the new Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit which also has responsibility for the voluntary sector and the Human Rights Commission.
- The new Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will help fulfill government’s plan to ensure affordable housing is available to all Albertans and to address emerging urban issues.
- A new Ministry of Aboriginal Relations highlights the important role Aboriginal people play in Alberta’s future.
- Infrastructure and Transportation will be split, ensuring more focus on meeting the needs for roads and other public facilities as part of implementing Alberta’s 20-year strategic capital plan.
“Realignment of economic development activities will help further our long-term economic development strategy,” said Premier Stelmach.
Changes to Employment and Immigration will better focus the ministry on developing Alberta’s labour force. The responsibility for attracting investment to Alberta will move to International and Intergovernmental Relations, aligning this effort with the existing responsibility for international offices. The Ministry of Finance and Enterprise will support economic development, including the responsibility for the Alberta Economic Development Authority and the Northern Alberta Development Council. Rural development will take increased focus in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“The members of Cabinet are diverse and bring valuable perspectives on a range of issues -- urban and rural, social and economic,” said Stelmach. "I’m confident the combination of proven performers and new talent in Cabinet and on government committees will move forward the agenda we've set."
Premier Stelmach also appointed the chairs of five Cabinet Policy Committees. These policy committees will review and make recommendations on policies, programs and legislation related to: community services; public safety and services; the economy; resources and the environment; and health.
The new Cabinet will be sworn in at a ceremony at Government House at 10 a.m on March 13 and will be webcast live via Alberta.ca. The first meeting of Cabinet will be at noon that day at Government House.
Backgrounders: Alberta’s new Cabinet team; Cabinet Policy Committees; Government of Alberta Ministries; Parliamentary Assistants
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Paul Stanway |
Tom Olsen |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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Below is the make-up of the new Cabinet (with members listed in order of precedence).
Premier Ed Stelmach |
President of Executive Council |
Deputy Premier Ron Stevens (Calgary-Glenmore) |
International and Intergovernmental Relations |
Lloyd Snelgrove (Vermilion-Lloydminster) |
Treasury Board |
Doug Horner (Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert) |
Advanced Education and Technology |
David Hancock (Edmonton-Whitemud) |
Education |
Mel Knight (Grande Prairie-Smoky) |
Energy |
Iris Evans (Sherwood Park) |
Finance and Enterprise |
Ron Liepert (Calgary-West) |
Health and Wellness |
Rob Renner (Medicine Hat) |
Environment |
Luke Ouellette (Innisfail-Sylvan Lake) |
Transportation |
Gene Zwozdesky (Edmonton-Mill Creek) |
Aboriginal Relations |
Alison Redford (Calgary-Elbow) |
Justice and Attorney General |
George Groeneveld (Highwood) |
Agriculture and Rural Development |
Janis Tarchuk (Banff-Cochrane) |
Children and Youth Services |
Mary Anne Jablonski (Red Deer-North) |
Seniors and Community Supports |
Hector Goudreau (Dunvegan-Central Peace) |
Employment and Immigration |
Ted Morton (Foothills-Rocky View) |
Sustainable Resource Development |
Fred Lindsay (Stony Plain) |
Solicitor General and Public Security |
Ray Danyluk (Lac La Biche-St. Paul) |
Municipal Affairs |
Jack Hayden (Drumheller-Stettler) |
Infrastructure |
Yvonne Fritz (Calgary-Cross) |
Housing and Urban Affairs |
Lindsay Blackett (Calgary-North West) |
Culture and Community Spirit |
Cindy Ady (Calgary-Shaw) |
Tourism, Parks and Recreation |
Heather Klimchuk (Edmonton-Glenora) |
Service Alberta |
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Paul Stanway |
Tom Olsen |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Premier Ed Stelmach announced the chairs and corresponding ministries of Cabinet Policy Committees.
Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services
Chair: Art Johnston (Calgary-Hays)
Culture and Community Spirit; Education; Housing and Urban Affairs; Municipal Affairs; and Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Cabinet Policy Committee on the Economy
Chair: Greg Weadick (Lethbridge-West)
Advanced Education and Technology; Employment and Immigration; Finance and Enterprise:
Infrastructure; and Transportation
Cabinet Policy Committee on Health
Chair: Tony Vandermeer (Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview)
Children and Youth Services; Health and Wellness; and Seniors and Community Supports
Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Safety and Services
Chair: Neil Brown (Calgary-Nose Hill)
Aboriginal Relations; Executive Council; Justice and Attorney General; Service Alberta/Corporate Human Resources; Solicitor General and Public Security; and Treasury Board
Cabinet Policy Committee on Resources and the Environment
Chair: Wayne Drysdale (Grande Prairie-Wapiti)
Agriculture and Rural Development; Energy; Environment; International and Intergovernmental Relations; and Sustainable Resource Development
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Paul Stanway |
Tom Olsen |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Aboriginal Relations |
Responsible for Aboriginal affairs. Also responsible for the Metis Settlements Appeals Tribunal, the Metis Settlements Ombudsman and the First Nations Development Fund. |
Advanced Education and Technology |
Maintains current functions. |
Agriculture and Rural Development |
Maintains current functions and adds responsibility for rural development. |
Children and Youth Services |
Maintains current functions. |
Culture and Community Spirit |
Responsible for culture, community development, the voluntary sector, museums and heritage sites. |
Education |
Maintains current functions. |
Employment and Immigration |
Maintains current functions with the exceptions of rural and economic development. |
Energy |
Maintains current functions. |
Environment |
Maintains current functions. |
Executive Council |
Maintains current functions. |
Finance and Enterprise |
Maintains current functions and adds responsibility for the Regulatory Review Secretariat; the Alberta Economic Development Authority; and the Northern Alberta Development Council. |
Health and Wellness |
Maintains current functions. |
Housing and Urban Affairs |
Responsible for housing services including the Alberta Social Housing Corporation and the Homelessness Secretariat. |
Infrastructure |
Responsible for infrastructure planning, and building and managing government-owned infrastructure. Also responsible for the administration of water/wastewater and other municipal infrastructure grants and the Natural Gas Rebate Program. |
International and Intergovernmental Relations |
Maintains current functions with the exception of Aboriginal relations. Adds responsibility for investment attraction. |
Justice and Attorney General |
Maintains current functions. |
Municipal Affairs |
Maintains current functions with the exceptions of housing and the responsibility for the voluntary sector. |
Seniors and Community Supports |
Maintains current functions. |
Service Alberta |
Maintains current functions with the exception of the Regulatory Review Secretariat. |
Solicitor General and Public Security |
Maintains current functions. |
Sustainable Resource Development |
Maintains current functions. |
Tourism, Parks and Recreation |
Maintains current functions with the exceptions of culture and community development, museums, heritage sites, and reporting entities now in Culture and Community Spirit, as well as the First Nations Development Fund now in Aboriginal Relations. |
Transportation |
Responsible for planning, building and managing the provincial highway network, including the administration of municipal transportation grants. |
Treasury Board |
Maintains current functions. |
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Paul Stanway |
Tom Olsen |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Premier Ed Stelmach has introduced the role of Parliamentary Assistants to:
- assist Ministers with the work of their ministry; and
- provide MLAs with ministry experience.
Parliamentary Assistants will be appointed by the Premier, be responsible to the Minister and will perform a variety of duties including:
- overseeing operation of a major program or initiative;
- carrying bills through the Legislative Assembly and its committees;
- leading ministry stakeholder consultations;
- attending events on behalf of the Minister; and
- participating on special task forces or advisory groups.
Parliamentary Assistants will receive their assignments from their Minister and will receive administrative support from the ministry.
The following Parliamentary Assistants have been assigned:
- Advanced Education and Technology: Manmeet Bhullar (Calgary-Montrose);
- Agriculture and Rural Development: Doug Griffiths (Battle River-Wainwright);
- Education: Janice Sarich (Edmonton-Decore);
- Employment and Immigration: David Xiao (Edmonton-McClung);
- Energy: Len Webber (Calgary-Foothills);
- Environment: Diana McQueen (Drayton Valley-Calmar);
- Health and Wellness: Raj Sherman (Edmonton-Meadowlark);
- Municipal Affairs: Thomas Lukaszuk (Edmonton-Castle Downs);
- Solicitor General and Public Security: Robert Anderson (Airdrie-Chestermere); and
- Sustainable Resource Development: Evan Berger (Livingstone-Macleod).
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Paul Stanway |
Tom Olsen |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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