The resignation of Lyle Stewart as minister of agriculture triggered a mini-cabinet shuffle for Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Wood River MLA and farmer Dave Marit will be assuming the job Stewart held for six years.
“Agriculture has been my life and for the premier to bestow this honour is really humbling, and I hope I can do the job anywhere near what the previous two ag ministers have done,” Marit said.
Stewart left cabinet to focus on his health. He was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Stewart will continue to serve as MLA for Lumsden-Morse.
Marit now leaves his position as minister of highways and infrastructure. That title will be passed to first-time cabinet member Lori Carr.
The Estevan MLA was first elected in 2016. While in caucus, she’s served as legislative secretary to the finance minister and government deputy whip.
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“I was really excited, came as a bit of a surprise, but I’m truly honoured that Scott Moe has the confidence in me to work with his cabinet,” she said.
“And I guess I’d like to give an extra shout-out to my constituency because they’re the ones that had the confidence to vote me in here in the first place.”
In one final move, deputy premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant will add SaskBuilds to his cabinet portfolio. This position also belonged to Marit.
Moe said that appointing new cabinet ministers is an exciting day, but a challenging one. Given the circumstances around Stewart’s departure from this inner circle, Moe’s second shuffle took a different tone.
“I’ll be honest with you, it’s with mixed emotions that we’re here today, understanding the health challenges our Lyle Stewart is going through,” Moe said.
The premier added that he is not contemplating any other cabinet changes before the legislative assembly reconvenes in October.
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