Moe mid-summer cabinet shuffle
Dustin Duncan moved to Crown Investments in cabinet shuffle, Reiter and Eyre stay put
By Brian Zinchuk
The mid-summer cabinet shuffle has become something of a tradition with the Saskatchewan Party government, and there were substantial changes in many of the key ministries, including Crown Investments Corporation; Health; Environment; Highways Corrections, Policing and Public Safety. But among the unchanged are two of the portfolios dealing with the “energy transition” and energy – Jim Reiter as minister of Energy and Resources, and Bronwyn Eyre as Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
Premier Scott Moe today announced the new cabinet on Aug. 29.
The departure of Don Morgan as Minister of Crown Investments, which includes SaskPower and SaskEnergy, means his replacement Dustin Duncan will be dealing with the federal push to a net zero power grid by 2035. If carried through, that push could mean having to replace nearly all of Saskatchewan’s power generation capacity, or equip it with carbon capture, within 11 years, four months and 21 days from the announcement of the draft Clean Energy Regulations. Such an endeavor would easily be one of the most intensive and expensive in Saskatchewan’s history.
Duncan also comes to Crown Investments from Education as a firestorm about gender issues in the education system was started by him in recent days. Duncan had announced that parents have the right to know if their children wished to be known by a different name or gender while in school, and there has been significant controversy since then.
Eyre will continue to lead efforts combatting the federal government on several fronts regarding its climate change initiatives, quarterbacking legal efforts. Christine Tell will be taking over the Environment portfolio, which is intertwined with all of this.
“The mandate of our new cabinet is to build and protect Saskatchewan – to continue building a strong economy, strong communities and strong families, and to protect all that we have built together from threats like federal intrusion and economic challenges like inflation,” Moe said in a release.
Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod enters cabinet for the first time as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health. Prince Albert Carleton MLA Joe Hargrave re-enters cabinet as Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement.
Six ministers remain in cabinet but take on new responsibilities:
Dustin Duncan becomes Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister responsible for all the major Crowns, including SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskTel, SGI and SaskWater, as well as Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission;
Christine Tell becomes Minister of Environment;
Paul Merriman becomes Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety and Minister responsible for the Firearms Secretariat;
Lori Carr becomes Minister of Highways;
Everett Hindley becomes Minister of Health; and
Jeremy Cockrill becomes Minister of Education.
Nine ministers retain their current responsibilities:
Donna Harpauer remains Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance;
Jim Reiter remains Minister of Energy and Resources;
Gordon Wyant remains Minister of Advanced Education;
Jeremy Harrison remains Minister of Trade and Export Development, Minister of Immigration and Career Training, and Minister responsible for Innovation and Tourism Saskatchewan;
David Marit remains Minister of Agriculture and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, and also becomes Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency;
Don McMorris remains Minister of Government Relations, Minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission, and also becomes Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, and the Minister responsible for Workers’ Compensation Board;
Bronwyn Eyre remains Minister of Justice and Attorney General;
Gene Makowsky remains Minister of Social Services; and
Laura Ross remains Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Lotteries and Gaming Corporation.
The overall size of cabinet remains unchanged at 18, including the Premier.
Two members who recently announced they will not be seeking re-election in 2024 – Don Morgan and Dana Skoropad – are leaving cabinet. Morgan becomes Provincial Secretary.
“I want to thank those two members and particularly recognize Don Morgan, who along with Donna Harpauer has been in every cabinet since our government was first elected in 2007, making them the two longest-serving current ministers anywhere in Canada,” Moe said.
The new cabinet was sworn in Tuesday by Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty.
Premier Moe also named nine Legislative Secretaries:
Terry Dennis, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Export Development, responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine relations;
Alana Ross, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Health;
Daryl Harrison, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Resources;
Jim Lemaigre, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Government Relations;
Terry Jenson, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Immigration and Career Training;
Travis Keisig, Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation;
Warren Kaeding, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Environment;
Muhammad Fiaz, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education; and
Lisa Lambert, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.
All Legislative Secretaries will receive $3,000 in remuneration for their additional responsibilities, below the full remuneration amount designated for Legislative Secretaries.
The new cabinet. Premier Scott Moe Facebook
NDP Leader reacts
NDP Leader and Leader of the Opposition Carla Beck said in an emailed statement, “Today’s announcement changes nothing for Saskatchewan people who are struggling with the cost of living, waiting for surgery, or worried about the lack of supports in their kids’ classrooms.
“With no change in the finance portfolio, it’s clear that this tired and out-of-touch government thinks that the status quo is just fine when it comes to the crushing cost of living.
“It’s time for a government that will deliver cost-of-living relief for families,” she said.