CALGARY – Premier Ed Stelmach unveiled a substantial overhaul of his cabinet today, demoting three Tory ministers to the backbenches and welcoming three fresh faces to his inner circle.
Stelmach, however, decided against reducing the number of ministers, which remains at 23.
Changes have been made in several key portfolios: Ted Morton is moving to Finance from Sustainable Resource Development; Ron Liepert is shifting to Energy from Health; and Gene Zwozdesky, who was in charge of Aboriginal Relations, has vaulted into the thorny Health file.
The premier has appointed Doug Horner, Advanced Education Minister, to the position of deputy premier, which became vacant last May, after longtime Calgary MLA Ron Stevens resigned to become a judge.
In a statement, the premier said his revamped cabinet will focus on leading Alberta out of the recession, creating jobs, improving health care, and building infrastructure.
“I have promised Albertans that we will be back in the black in three years and I have not wavered from that commitment,” Stelmach said. “My new team will tackle Alberta’s fiscal challenges with determination."
In addition to the cabinet changes, the premier named a new chairman of government caucus, Robin Campbell, MLA for West Yellowhead. Arno Doerksen, MLA for Strathmore-Brooks, will serve as deputy whip.
The new cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at Government House in Edmonton.
Three ministers have been dropped from cabinet: Janis Tarchuk has been moved out of Children and Youth Services; George Groeneveld has been moved out of Agriculture; and Fred Lindsay will no longer be Solicitor General.
New cabinet faces include Jonathan Denis, who takes over Housing, Frank Oberle, who will be the Solicitor General, and Thomas Lukaszuk, who will be responsible for Employment and Immigration.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com
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Official cabinet list, according to the Premier’s office:
Premier Stelmach’s Cabinet team in order of precedence
Ed Stelmach (Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville)
Premier, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities, Vice-Chair of Treasury Board
Doug Horner (Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert)
Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, and Minister Liaison to the Canadian Armed Forces
Ted Morton (Foothills-Rocky View)
Minister of Finance and Enterprise
Dave Hancock (Edmonton-Whitemud)
Minister of Education, Government House Leader. He will also serve as Political Minister for Edmonton.
Lloyd Snelgrove (Vermilion-Lloydminster)
President of the Treasury Board
Iris Evans (Sherwood Park)
Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations
Ron Liepert (Calgary-West)
Minister of Energy
Luke Ouellette (Innisfail-Sylvan Lake)
Minister of Transportation
Mel Knight (Grande Prairie-Smoky)
Minister of Sustainable Resource Development
Alison Redford (Calgary-Elbow)
Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Deputy Government House Leader. She will also serve as Political Minister for Calgary.
Rob Renner (Medicine Hat)
Minister of Environment, Deputy Government House Leader
Gene Zwozdesky (Edmonton-Mill Creek)
Minister of Health and Wellness, Deputy Government House Leader
Yvonne Fritz (Calgary-Cross)
Minister of Children and Youth Services
Jack Hayden (Drumheller-Stettler)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ray Danyluk (Lac La Biche-St. Paul)
Minister of Infrastructure
Mary Anne Jablonski (Red Deer-North)
Minister of Seniors and Community Supports
Lindsay Blackett (Calgary-North West)
Minister of Culture and Community Spirit
Heather Klimchuk (Edmonton-Glenora)
Minister of Service Alberta
Cindy Ady (Calgary-Shaw)
Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Hector Goudreau (Dunvegan-Central Peace)
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Frank Oberle (Peace River)
Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security
Len Webber (Calgary-Foothills)
Minister of Aboriginal Relations
Jonathan Denis (Calgary-Egmont)
Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Deputy Government House Leader
Thomas Lukaszuk (Edmonton-Castle Downs)
Minister of Employment and Immigration
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