Premier Scott Moe has named a new provincial cabinet after winning a renewed majority during the 29th general election, although neither Moose Jaw MLA received any government roles.
Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty swore in the new cabinet members during a ceremony on Nov. 9.
“It is an honour to put in place a new cabinet to guide a government with a strong, new mandate from the people of Saskatchewan,” Moe said in a news release. “Our cabinet will continue the crucial work of building a strong Saskatchewan, work that is even more important as we continue the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and manage Saskatchewan’s economic recovery.”
Moe has named Donna Harpauer as the deputy premier. She has served in every cabinet since the Sask. Party was elected in 2007 and will be the first woman in 30 years to hold this role in Saskatchewan.
Harpauer is one of the longest-serving cabinet ministers in Canada.
“I am confident that Deputy Premier Harpauer’s depth of experience will be a tremendous asset,” said Moe, “and I look forward to working closely with her as we work toward a strong economic recovery and balancing the provincial budget by 2024.”
Harpauer also retains the portfolio of minister of finance, which she has held since 2017.
Four MLAs will retain their current cabinet portfolios:
- Christine Tell remains minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety. The addition of Public Safety reflects an added cabinet responsibility for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
- Jeremy Harrison remains minister of Trade and Export Development and minister of Immigration and Career Training while adding responsibility as minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan and minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan
- David Marit remains minister of Agriculture and minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
- Bronwyn Eyre remains minister of Energy and Resources
New MLAs will remain in cabinet but have new cabinet portfolios:
- Don Morgan becomes minister of Crown Investments Corporation and becomes minister responsible for all major crown corporations, including SaskEnergy, SGI, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskGaming and SaskWater. Morgan remains minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board
- Jim Reiter becomes minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement, minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, and minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Reiter will oversee a new approach to the management of all infrastructure projects and assets, standardized government procurement and IT infrastructure through the creation of the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, a ministry that will be established from the merged responsibilities of the former Ministry of Central Services and SaskBuilds
- Dustin Duncan becomes minister of Education
- Gordon Wyant becomes minister of Justice and Attorney General
- Joe Hargrave becomes minister of Highways and minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency
- Paul Merriman becomes minister of Health
- Gene Makowsky becomes Minister of Advanced Education
- Warren Kaeding becomes minister of Environment
- Lori Carr becomes Minister of Social Services
There are three new MLAs entering cabinet:
- Don McMorris becomes minister of Government Relations, minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission
- Laura Ross becomes minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and minister Responsible for the Status of Women
- Everett Hindley becomes minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health. Hindley’s portfolio includes a new priority focus on mental health and addictions resources, programming and funding while retaining a priority focus on Seniors and Rural and Remote Health
The size of the cabinet remains unchanged at 18, including the premier.
The premier announced other roles for MLAs in his party.
House leadership:
- Jeremy Harrison will serve as Government House leader
- Fred Bradshaw will serve as Deputy Government House leader
- Greg Ottenbreit will serve as Government Whip
- Randy Weekes will serve as Government Deputy Whip
Legislative secretaries:
- MLA Lyle Stewart will serve as legislative secretary to the premier responsible for provincial autonomy. Stewart will also serve as provincial secretary. Stewart will focus on areas where Saskatchewan can exercise and strengthen its provincial autonomy within the Canadian federation
- MLA David Buckingham will serve as legislative secretary to the minister responsible for SaskTel and SGI
- MLA Doug Steele will serve as legislative secretary to the minister responsible for SaskPower and SaskEnergy
- MLA Fred Bradshaw will serve as legislative secretary to the minister of Environment
- MLA Todd Goudy will serve as the legislative secretary to the minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and as Francophone Affairs liaison
- MLA Nadine Wilson will serve as legislative secretary to the ministers of Trade and Export Development and Energy and Resources for Forestry (E&R) and Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Liaison (TED)
- MLA Ken Francis will serve as legislative secretary to the minister of Trade and Export Development
- MLA Terry Dennis will serve as legislative secretary to the minister of Education
The legislative secretary to the premier/provincial secretary will receive the full remuneration amount designated for legislative secretaries. All other legislative secretaries will receive $3,000 in remuneration for their additional responsibilities, which is below the full remuneration amount designated for legislative secretaries.
