CALGARY – Faced with sliding poll numbers and a stinging byelection loss in Calgary, Premier Ed Stelmach bolstered his cabinet Wednesday with key ministers from the region, but he failed to impress critics with the shuffle.
The premier’s new cabinet added one more member from the city, raising the number of Calgary ministers to seven.
The change included moving Calgary-West MLA Ron Liepert to the energy portfolio from health. Ted Morton, whose Foothills-Rockyview constituency borders Calgary, was promoted to finance minister.
The government also handed Justice Minister Alison Redford the additional responsibility of being the political minister for Calgary. The new position will call on Redford to represent the city’s position on issues as they arise in cabinet.
“I think the real key here is that the premier has said, “˜I want to know and I understand that particular (Calgary) perspective is unique and there needs to be some acknowledgment of that around the cabinet table,’ “ Redford said Wednesday.
Despite those moves, however, Calgary did not benefit from the opening in the deputy premier’s post, left vacant by last year’s departure of former Calgary-Glenmore MLA Ron Stevens. That No. 2 cabinet position was filled by Doug Horner, whose constituency is near Edmonton.
As well, two Tory MLAs from the Calgary region left cabinet: former agriculture minister George Groeneveld (Highwood) and Janis Tarchuk (Banff-Cochrane), who was in charge of the Children and Youth Services department.
“There are no bombshells here,” David Taras, a political analyst at the University of Calgary, said of the cabinet shuffle.
The biggest move was Morton becoming finance minister, replacing Edmonton-area MLA Iris Evans.
The promotion of Morton, an unabashed fiscal conservative, is seen as a counter-punch to the Wildrose Alliance, which has surged ahead of the Tories in polls and won September’s byelection.
“It’s definitely a message to the Wildrose people and the right wing,” Taras said.
But Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said Calgarians won’t be convinced the government will improve with a mere shuffling of ministers.
“I am sure that Ted behind the scenes has been fighting for changes, but how effective has one voice been? Not all that effective,” she said.
“He was part of a cabinet that came through with the biggest deficits in Alberta history.”
Returning the oilpatch portfolio to Calgary with Liepert’s appointment was also welcomed, with hope his proximity to the decision-makers will help address pressing issues.
“I believe that the energy industry will get to know him very quickly, as there are a number of outstanding concerns that I think need to be addressed,” Mayor Dave Bronconnier told reporters.
But Calgary Liberal MLA Dave Taylor said the Conservatives haven’t been able to deliver certainty to the oilpatch, and Liepert’s appointment won’t make a difference.
“He can probably go down to the Petroleum Club and have a glass of single malt with some of the boys,” Taylor said. “But that ain’t going to be enough for them to feel the love again.”
With files from Jason Markusoff, Calgary Heraldtseskus@theherald.canwest.com
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