Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has unveiled her 24-member cabinet, which includes almost all of her former leadership rivals and two deputy premiers, Kaycee Madu and Nathan Neudorf.
Former premier Jason Kenney’s finance minister Travis Toews, the runner-up in the leadership race which elected Smith, will keep his spot.
Brian Jean, who placed third in the leadership race, will become the minister of jobs, economy and northern development.
Rebecca Schulz, who placed fourth in the contest, will move over from children’s service to the municipal affairs file, while fifth-place leadership contender Todd Loewen will become the forestry, parks and tourism minister.
Loewen was an independent MLA when he ran for the leadership, having been expelled from the caucus during Kenney’s tenure. Lowen was readmitted the day after Smith was elected.
Rajan Sawhney, who was second to fall off the leadership ballot, was given the trade, immigration and multiculturalism file.
Leela Aheer, who placed last in the race, was not given a ministerial role. Kenney, a vocal critic of Smith’s throughout the leadership race, was also not given a portfolio.
Jason Nixon, Kenney’s house leader and, briefly, finance minister, will not be in cabinet. Nixon critiqued Smith’s proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act during the leadership race.
Madu has also been named skilled trades and professions minister, while Neudorf will also hold the infrastructure file.
Pete Guthrie is the new energy minister, while Jason Luan becomes the minister of culture and Nate Glubish is the technology and innovation minister.
Tyler Shandro, Adriana LaGrange and Sonya Savage will keep their portfolios of justice, education, and energy respectively.
Nate Horner will stay on as agriculture minister, Demetrios Nicolaides will hold the advanced education file, and Rick Wilson will keep the indigenous relations ministerial position.
Mike Ellis is the new minister of public safety; Matt Jones is the minister of affordability and utilities, and Devin Dreeshen has become the minister of transportation and economic corridors.
Dale Nally has been given the ministerial role for Service Alberta and red tape reduction, while Jeremy Nixon becomes the seniors, community and social services minister.
The new minister of children’s services is Mickey Amery, and Nicholas Milliken moved from infrastructure to mental health and addictions.
In a statement, Smith said there’s a lot of work to be done.
“Our team will work every day to gain your trust, make bold changes and continue to build the most innovative, entrepreneurial and welcoming province in the world. I want to thank our entire team for their tireless dedication to Albertans and we’re looking forward to the days ahead.”
Caucus leadership positions include whip Brad Rutherford, house leader Joseph Schow and deputy house leaders Madu, Amery, and David Hanson.
