In a formal ceremony that took place Tuesday afternoon at Government House, Alberta Premier Alison Redford's new cabinet was sworn in.
Despite some changes during the recent provincial election that saw four cabinet ministers lose their ridings and one MLA retire; Redford's new cabinet maintains quite a few familiar faces – and it is all part of her plan to change the provincial government.
"We are going to forge new policy, new direction, we are reorganizing government," Premier Alison Redford said. "We are going to change the role of this legislature and I want to have a strong deputy premier by my side."
Thomas Lukaszuk, former Education Minister, takes over the reigns as Deputy Premier from Doug Horner. Lukaszuk is looking forward to his new role.
"[I] will be actively carrying out the role of the office of the premier, as a support to that of the premier," Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk said.
Horner, who battled Redford for the leadership of the party, retains his role as President of the Treasury Board and takes over the Finance portfolio from Ron Liepert.
Dave Hancock, Doug Griffiths, Heather Klimchuk and Fred Horne retain their posts as Human Services Minister, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Culture and Community Services Minister, and Health and Wellness Minister, respectively.
While a majority of the cabinet was made up of seasoned politicians, some rookie MLAs also scored some cabinet posts.
Former school principal Christine Cusanelli takes the role of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister. Stephen Khan takes on Enterprise and Advanced Eduction. Former Calgary Alderman Ric McIver takes over as Minster of Transportation. Former Alberta Health Services boss Ken Hughes takes on Energy.
- Deputy Premier: Thomas Lukaszuk (Edmonton-Castle Downs)
- Energy: Ken Hughes (Calgary-West)
- Health: Fred Horne (Edmonton-Rutherford)
- Finance and President of Treasury Board: Doug Horner (Spruce Grove-St. Albert)
- Education: Jeff Johnson (Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater)
- Environment and Sustainable Resource Development: Diana McQueen (Drayton Valley-Devon)
- Justice and Soliciter General: Jonathan Denis (Calgary-Acadia)
- International and Intergovernmental Relations: Cal Dallas (Red Deer-South)
- Agriculture and Rural Development: Veryln Olson (Wetaskiwin-Camrose)
- Transportation: Ric McIver (Calgary-Hays)
- Infrastructure: Wayne Drysdale (Grande Prairie-Wapiti)
- Municipal Affairs: Doug Griffiths (Battle River-Wainwright)
- Tourism, Parks and Recreation: Christine Cusanelli (Calgary-Currie)
- Culture: Heather Klimchuk (Edmonton-Glenora)
- Service Alberta: Manmeet Bhullar (Calgary-Greenway)
- Aboriginal Relations: Robin Campbell (West Yellowhead)
- Enterprise and Advanced Education: Stephen Khan (St. Albert)
Redford also cut the number of ministries for the second time in ten months – before she was elected, she appointed twenty ministers, down from the previous 22.
Now, she's named 17 ministries, with seven associate ministers to help cabinet ministers.
The new session of the legislature is set to start the last week of May.
With files from Kevin Armstrong
