Sask. cabinet shuffle raises questions on rural health spot

With a very short ceremony and a few handshakes, the pre-election cabinet shuffle for the Saskatchewan government was finished Tuesday.

Three ministers moved positions like a merry-go-round: Lori Carr moved from highways to government relations, Warren Kaeding took over rural and remote health after helming government relations; and, Greg Ottenbreit left rural and remote health to take over highways.

The changes immediately raised questions as to the reasoning, especially in light of the controversy which surrounded Ottenbreit in the spring.

He told a pro-life gathering that he is pro-life and he would fight for the cause — which had critics raising questions about whether he was fit to serve as a minister of health with those views.

The premier quickly batted away speculation on the shuffle.

“What we see here today is a broader move, not a move specific to Minister Ottenbreit in any way. This is a broader move that strengthens the cabinet serving the people of this province,” Scott Moe said at Government House.

Moe called it a “small realignment” several times, and mentioned that he’s doing this ahead of the election which will be coming next fall.

When it comes to the reason Ottenbreit was moved, Moe pointed to the approximately five years Ottenbreit had been in charge of the rural and remote health file. When asked about why he was moved, Ottenbreit said the same thing.

“If you look in history in our province, we’ve never had a minister, I don’t believe, that has spent more than five years or maybe even four years as minister of health. I’ve been there just about five years now, around five years, so it has been quite a while,” Ottenbreit said.

Ottenbreit said he’s still proud of his pro-life view and he won’t back down on them, but he did say that, as a member of government, he could have chosen his words or his venue differently.

He didn’t request a change. In fact, Ottenbreit said he enjoyed rural and remote health.

“I would have loved to have been in an official capacity at the Children’s Hospital opening. It’s something very close to my family’s heart with our history in childhood cancer and childhood health,” said Ottenbreit.

Kaeding will take over in rural and remote health. He also identifies as pro-life, but indicated that won’t be a problem.

“I’m certainly not one to judge on anybody’s decision that comes to that. I’m here to make sure that government policy is implemented and our government has been very clear as to supporting female reproductive rights and I’m going to make sure that that’s implemented,” said Kaeding.

Kaeding said he doesn’t have any plans to speak at any pro-life rallies.

Carr is also taking on responsibility for the Provincial Capital Commission, which oversees Wascana Park. This year there has been a lot of frustration and opposition in the community to new builds being approved for the park.

“I think there are lots of rules that are in place already and we need to look at those bylaws and follow the bylaws. So, as I get into my portfolio and I actually learn to learn a lot more about it, I’ll learn from that.,” said Carr.

Carr is also now the minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and northern affairs, in addition to the minister of government relations and the Provincial Capital Commission.

Ottenbreit is now the minister of highways and infrastructure, but he’s also now responsible for the Water Security Agency.

And Kaeding is the new rural and remote health minister, as well as the minister for the new seniors file.

Moe said the minister for seniors will give seniors in the province a direct line to government and an opportunity to influence policy.

The remaining ministers are:

• Gordon Wyant, Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds, Minister Responsible for Priority Saskatchewan;
• Don Morgan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, Minister Responsible for the Global Transportation Hub, Minister Responsible for SaskTel;
• Donna Harpauer, Minister of Finance;
• Jim Reiter, Minister of Health;
• Dustin Duncan, Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for SaskPower;
• Christine Tell, Minister of Corrections and Policing, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation;
• Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development, Minister of Immigration and Career Training;
• Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Central Services, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission;
• David Marit, Minister of Agriculture, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance;
• Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Energy and Resources, Minister Responsible for SaskWater, Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy;
• Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Advanced Education, Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan, Minister Responsible for Status of Women;
• Joe Hargrave, Minister of Crown Investments, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance;
• Paul Merriman, Minister of Social Services; and,
• Gene Makowsky, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan.

NDP reacts to shuffle

The NDP’s Carla Beck responded to the cabinet shuffle, calling it relatively minor as three ministers with “significant issues” were swapped around, including Ottenbreit.

“I’m not sure all of these problems are going to be solved by just a shuffle, but certainly there were significant concerns with Mr. Ottenbreit and his ability to carry out his duties with regard to women’s health,” Beck said.

Beck also responded to the appointment of Kaeding to rural and remote health and seniors, saying there isn’t the same level of concern around the position given Ottenbreit’s previous comments at pro-life rallies.

A number of smaller ministries were amalgamated into larger ones, including the Water Security Agency, and the creation of a seniors file to the health ministry.

“It remains to be seen but we want to make sure that those significant roles have the capacity with (the minsters),” said Beck. “But also that they’re not made so broad that they lose the focus that they so deserve.”

However, Beck welcomes the addition of a seniors file to the health ministry.

“This is something that is an issue for people right around the province,” she said. “We see an aging demographic and (it’s) long overdue.”

Provincial Secretary

In addition to the moves in cabinet, Todd Goudy was also moved to take on the role of provincial secretary.

Nadine Wilson previously held that role, but stepped down last month after she was charged with assault for an alleged altercation with an in-law.

Moe felt it was fine for Wilson to continue serving in cabinet while the charges play out.

“Like any other person here in the province, we’ll allow her to have her day and represent herself in the court, and then we’ll make decisions after that,” said Moe.

Moe said there’s no place for violence against the elderly in Saskatchewan.