New MLAs get cabinet positions in Sask. government shuffle

The cabinet for Saskatchewan’s government is looking a bit different on Tuesday, with a few first-time MLAs being given some responsibility.

Four MLAs first elected in the spring were given portfolios:

• Tina Beaudry-Mellor (Regina University) was appointed as Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
• Dave Marit (Wood River) is now Minister of Highways and Infrastructure.
• Bronwyn Eyre (Saskatoon Stonebridge-Dakota) was appointed as Minister of Advanced Education.
• Joe Hargrave (Prince Albert Carlton) is now Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) – one of the two portfolios vacated by Don McMorris after his drunk driving charge earlier this month. Hargrave is also becoming Minister of Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) and Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC).

Don Morgan (Saskatoon Southeast) will become the new deputy premier, filling in the position after McMorris resigned.

Ken Cheveldayoff, Saskatoon Willowgrove, is being brought back into cabinet as Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission.

Several previous cabinet members are being moved to new portfolios:

• Jim Reiter (Rosetown-Elrose) becomes Minister of Health
• Donna Harpauer (Humboldt-Watrous) becomes Minister of Government Relations, and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs
• Dustin Duncan (Weyburn Big-Muddy) becomes Minister of Energy and Resources, and Minister responsible for SaskTel and SaskEnergy
• Jeremy Harrison (Meadow Lake) becomes Minister of the Economy, Minister responsible for the Global Transportation Hub (GTH), and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), the other position vacated by McMorris
• Scott Moe (Rosthern-Shellbrook) becomes Minister of Environment, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency
• Christine Tell (Regina Wascana Plains) becomes Minister of Central Services, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission

Five ministers will keep their cabinet positions:

• Don Morgan serves as Minister for Education, and Minister for Labour
• Kevin Doherty (Regina Northeast) is Finance Minister
• Lyle Stewart (Lumsden-Morse) remains Agriculture Minister
• Greg Ottenbreit (Yorkton) will continue as Rural and Remote Health Minister
• Gordon Wyant (Saskatoon Northwest) stays on as Justice and SaskBuilds Minister, though his responsibilities under Justice will now also include corrections and policing. Wyant will also take on the SaskPower portfolio.

The 17 members sworn in Tuesday, including the Premier, means the cabinet has been reduced by one.

The government said the reduction will save about $450,000 a year.