By Chris Brown

Kenney shuffles cabinet to renew focus on economic recovery

Jul 8, 2021 | 10:47 AM

Premier Jason Kenney has added new people to the provincial cabinet and moved others to different portfolios as the government shifts its focus to recovery coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kenney said the province says the past 16 months have not only been a once-in-a-century public health crisis, but also a once-in-a-century economic crisis. he added the collapse of energy prices meant Alberta was hit the hardest.

He said the government will do everything in its power to accelerate economic growth, to create jobs, to grow the economy, get pipelines built and get a fair deal within Confederation.

“This government will renew its focus on the economic recovery plan. Now this is a time of renewal for Alberta and that requires renewal in the government’s leadership team,” said Kenney.

At a news conference following the announcement, the premier says the shuffle is not in response to recent months of unrest in the UCP caucus, and that is behind them.

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Since the most health restrictions were lifted on Canada Day, “I’ve had a real sense, a renewed sense of unity and common purpose in the United Conservative caucus,” Kenney said. “I think that is all behind us. Today is about the future, not the past.”

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley says anyone hoping to see a significant course correction from today’s cabinet shuffle will be deeply disappointed.

But Notley says the changes were driven by internal politics rather than making changes in key ministries to help Alberta move past the pandemic.

Rajan Sawhney, MLA for Calgary-North East is moving from minister of community and social services, to take over as minister of transportation.

Ric McIver held that role and the municipal affairs minister for the past few months after Tracy Allard was dumped from cabinet over the party’s Christmas holiday travel scandal in December.

MLA for Calgary-Peigan Tanya Fir becomes associate minister of Red Tape Reduction. She lost committee responsibilities in January after travelling outside of the province over the holidays.

Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, becomes associate minister of rural economic development, under the ministry of jobs, economy and innovation.

Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, becomes associate minister of immigration and multiculturalism, under the ministry of labour and immigration.

Calgary-Glenmore MLA Whitney Issik becomes associate minister of status of women, under the ministry of culture and status of women. She also becomes the chief government whip.

Ron Orr, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, becomes the minister of culture, taking over for Leela Sharon Aheer.

The Chestermere-Strathmore MLA was removed from her position as minister of culture, multiculturalism and the status of women after she criticized Kenney for breaking COVID-19 health rules by having a patio dinner outside his temporary penthouse office.

Kenney denies Aheer’s demotion was payback for her criticism, saying not everyone can serve in cabinet.

Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary-West and currently the chief government whip, becomes associate minister of mental health and addictions.

The former associate minister of mental health and addictions, Calgary-Foothills MLA Jason Luan, becomes the minister of community and social services.

Two non-ministry changes were also announced by the government today.

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.

The cabinet shuffle comes roughly halfway through the United Conservative Party’s term.

— with files from The Canadian Press