A new provincial cabinet was sworn in on May 31 in what was mostly a shuffle, with only two replacements and 10 out of 18 positions remaining the same.
The number of cabinet ministers remains the same at 18. The swearing-in was done by Russell Mirasty, Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor.
Two new MLAs become cabinet ministers
Jeremy Cockrill replaced Fred Bradshaw as the Minister of Highways. Bradshaw took the post in January, 2020.
Dana Skoropad became the Minister of Environment, replacing Warren Kaeding, who took the position in November, 2020.
Cabinet switch-up for five MLAs
- Jim Reiter was appointed as the minister of Energy and Resources.
- Bronwyn Eyre became Saskatchewan’s first female minister of Justice and Attorney General.
- Gordon Wyant was installed as the minister of Advanced Education.
- Gene Makowsky is the new minister of Social Services.
- Lori Carr is now the minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement, the Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Moe announced plans for a new Sustainable Growth Secretariat to be established in his Executive Council. The new secretariat will operate under the premier’s oversight responsibility for Intergovernmental Affairs.
Tim McLeod, MLA for Moose Jaw North, replaced Lyle Stewart as Provincial Secretary.
Unchanged cabinet positions
Most of the existing cabinet retained their portfolios, including:
- Donna Harpauer as Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance.
- Don Morgan remains the minister of Crown Investments Corporation, Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board.
- Morgan was given additional responsibilities as the Minister Responsible for all major crown corporations, including SaskEnergy, SGI, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskGaming, and SaskWater.
- Dustin Duncan as Minister of Education.
- Christine Tell as the minister of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety.
- Jeremy Harrison as Minister of Trade and Export Development, Minister of Immigration and Career Training, and the Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan and Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan.
- David Marit as the minister of Agriculture and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
- Paul Merriman as Minister of Health.
- Don McMorris as Minister of Government Relations, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission.
- Laura Ross as Minister of Parks, Culture, and Sport, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.
- Everett Hindley as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health.
Government House Leadership
Jeremy Harrison will continue to serve as the Government House Leader, and Greg Ottenbreit will continue as Government Whip.
Lori Carr will have new responsibilities as Deputy Government House Leader, and Alana Ross will be the Deputy Government Whip.
Official Opposition says not enough change
The Official Opposition sent a news release stating their dissatisfaction with the extent of the cabinet changes. Opposition Leader Ryan Meili said that the fact that most positions remain unchanged is an indication that the Sask Party continues to disregard the concerns of Saskatchewanians.
The NDP Opposition has focused their recent criticism on the affordability and cost-of-living crisis, health care capacity challenges, an education budget that continues to lag behind inflation, what they claim is insufficient investment into mental health supports, and the Ministry of Social Services’ continued push to make social assistance a “true last resort,” as now-Former Minister of Social Services Lori Carr put it.
Meili was most unhappy with Paul Merriman retaining his position as Minister of Health:
“Under (Merriman’s) leadership, Saskatchewan had the worst response to the 4th wave of the pandemic, the highest COVID death rate, senior health leaders continue to leave the province, and he’s fostered a divisive relationship with our health care workers. Maintaining him in this role sends a clear signal to frontline workers and will create clear challenges when it comes to the retention and recruitment of health care workers to this province.”
