St. Albert will be well represented at the cabinet table as Doug Horner was returned to cabinet with an extra portfolio and newly elected MLA Stephen Khan was given a surprise cabinet spot.
St. Albert will be well represented at the cabinet table as Doug Horner was returned to cabinet with an extra portfolio and newly elected MLA Stephen Khan was given a surprise cabinet spot.
Khan, a first-term MLA, was appointed minister of advanced education and enterprise, while Horner remained as president of the treasury board and added minister of finance to his responsibilities.
Sturgeon MLA Jeff Johnson also remained in cabinet, moving into the education portfolio and former education minister Thomas Lukaszuk, who lives in the city, was appointed deputy premier.
Premier Alison Redford made calls to MLAs on Monday, before Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony.
"I am the new guy. Every day is full of surprises and (Monday) was a surprise that I am not going to forget for a long time," Khan said of the call. "It is an honour and I look forward to serving the people of Alberta."
Lt.- Gov. Donald Ethell swore in Khan and all the new ministers at Government House. Khan took the oath of office using his father-in-law's bible.
Horner returns to cabinet with a broader portfolio, adding the finance minister's responsibilities on top of his current post as president of the treasury board. Horner will be at the front of the government's results-based budgeting, looking at the finances of all government departments in search of efficiencies.
"I think there is a lot of important things that we need to do."
Cabinet assignments usually take into account the need for regional balance with ministers representing all corners of the province, but while St. Albert has two ministers, several other cities like Fort McMurray and Lethbridge are represented only with associate ministers.
"The expectations is that we are all MLAs first and I have always said that," said Horner. "Obviously having two MLAs who are cabinet ministers for the same city is a good thing for the city, because we will be well informed and well versed on what is going on."
Khan said all communities will have a voice, but also recognized the city will be well represented.
"I see this as a great opportunity for St. Albert and it is a great opportunity for St. Albert's voice to be heard in caucus and at the legislature."
Mayor Nolan Crouse was thrilled.
"For St. Albert, how much better could it get? It is impossible for it to get better."
Prior to the election, Khan ran the family software business, which developed administrative software for schools and municipalities. That business was sold and Khan briefly worked with the new owners as part of the transition before getting into politics.
"I think he is an incredibly talented man; he has had a tremendous career. He has in my mind a really interesting portfolio," said Redford.
Advanced education governs the province's colleges and universities, while enterprise is a portfolio generally centred on creating more opportunities for business and developing industries in the province.
"For me, putting someone who has professional background in those areas with a new perspective is very exciting," added the premier.
Education job
In education, Johnson is responsible for all primary and secondary schools in the province, as well as eventually bringing in the revised education act, which failed to pass before the election, back to the legislature.
"It is pretty exciting, where is there a more important portfolio, especially in this province at this time in its history?"
One of Johnson's hottest issues will be the Morinville school debate. While the province passed legislation switching the designations of local school boards, a decision on swapping one of Morinville's schools was not made before the election.
"We are going to try and address that as quick as we can obviously, for the students and for the community and for the school boards, but at this point in time I only have a few minutes on the job and can't give you any expectations," said Johnson, about when a decision on that might be forthcoming.
Rounding out the cabinet are Dave Hancock, who returns to human services, Cal Dallas at international and intergovernmental relations and Dianna McQueen who will now lead a combined department of environment and sustainable resource development.
Edmonton MLA Fred Horne was returned to the health ministry and Doug Griffiths remains at municipal affairs. Calgary MLA Ken Hughes takes over as minister of energy, Jonathan Denis will be the solicitor general and justice minister, Verlyn Olson will lead agriculture and rural development and Robin Campbell will lead aboriginal relations.
Heather Klimchuk will be in charge of culture, Wayne Drysdale from Grande Prairie takes over Johnson's spot at infrastructure. Ric McIver takes on transportation and newly elected Calgary MLA Christine Cusanelli will be the province's tourism minister.
