Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf will serve in three new positions in the Government of Alberta following the announcement of Premier Danielle Smith's cabinet. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Updated with comments from Neudorf

Lethbridge-East MLA named infrastructure minister and deputy premier

Oct 21, 2022 | 4:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The MLA for Lethbridge-East has a few new significant job titles within the Government of Alberta.

Premier Danielle Smith announced the members of her cabinet on Friday, and named Nathan Neudorf the minister of infrastructure and one of two deputy premiers.

He will also be a member of the Treasury Board.

Neudorf says it is an honour to be given these new appointments, not only for his own personal reasons but to elevate the voice of southern Alberta and the issues that are important to the region.

“I’m even more excited for Lethbridge to get this recognition again that we are a unique part of the province, very strongly based in agriculture,” says Neudorf. “I’ve long held the opinion that Lethbridge deserves and needs a voice at the cabinet table.”

BREAKING

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

12m ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

2h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

18h ago

Neudorf continues, “Because of that uniqueness, elevating that voice where you’re not just one in a crowd, you are one in a few, gives you a little bit more time, access, and sway in those arguments.”

Deputy Premier

In this position, Neudorf will be Smith’s right-hand man in Edmonton.

He explains that the role of the deputy premier can vary depending on the leader, but he has been directed to ensure that all MLAs can share the perspectives and concerns of their local communities.

Neudorf says he will focus on the inter-government relationships between ministries and MLAs, as well as ensuring that governmental tasks do not fall through the cracks.

“Unity doesn’t just happen. It takes intentions, it takes time, it takes effort,” says Neudorf. “That’s one of the tasks I’ve been given to work on that collaboration and hunt out where we can do things better ministerially, as well as with back-benchers, or private members, I should say, to develop those relationships even further.”

Minister of Infrastructure

While Neudorf is no stranger to having additional governmental responsibilities, this will be his first time as a cabinet minister.

Since being elected as an MLA in 2019, he has been the UCP Caucus Chair, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment for Water Stewardship, Chair of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, and has been involved with numerous task forces.

Neudorf believes that his appointment as infrastructure minister came down to his experience in government and the 25 years he spent working in commercial construction prior to entering politics.

“I feel that my years of experience in construction can accelerate that understanding on government as far as private industry’s requests in this area,” says Neudorf.

Neudorf says he will likely have to spend a bit more time in other communities speaking with stakeholders, but it should not take him too far away from his responsibilities in Lethbridge given the roles he has previously had.