Update from the Legislature - October 26, 2022

New Cabinet

Premier Danielle Smith announced her Cabinet on Oct. 21. The new members of Executive Council were officially sworn in on Oct. 24. The new Cabinet consists of:

• Deputy Premier and Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions – Kaycee Madu
• Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure – Nathan Neudorf
• President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance – Travis Toews
• Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development – Brian Jean
• Minister of Justice – Tyler Shandro
• Minister of Health – Jason Copping
• Minister of Energy – Pete Guthrie
• Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – Sonya Savage
• Minister of Technology and Innovation – Nate Glubish
• Minister of Affordability and Utilities – Matt Jones
• Minister of Municipal Affairs – Rebecca Schulz
• Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors – Devin Dreeshen
• Minister of Public Safety – Mike Ellis
• Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – Nate Horner
• Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism – Todd Loewen
• Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism – Rajan Sawhney
• Minister of Education – Adriana LaGrange
• Minister of Advanced Education – Demetrios Nicolaides
• Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction – Dale Nally
• Minister of Indigenous Relations – Rick Wilson
• Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services – Jeremy Nixon
• Minister of Children’s Services – Mickey Amery
• Minister of Mental Health and Addictions – Nicholas Milliken
• Minister of Culture – Jason Luan

The Cabinet contains a mix of new faces and experienced members. In terms of geographic balance, three members are from the Capital Region, 13 are from the greater Calgary area, and eight are from the rest of Alberta.

Alberta Municipalities congratulates the new Cabinet and looks forward to building constructive relationships, particularly with the new Minister of Municipal Affairs, Rebecca Schulz.

Parliamentary secretaries

Eleven parliamentary secretaries were also appointed on Oct. 24. They are:

• Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement – Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk
• Parliamentary Secretary for EMS Reform – R.J. Sigurdson
• Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health – Tany Yao
• Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridors – Shane Getson
• Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism – Miranda Rosin
• Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development – Glenn van Dijken
• Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism – Devinder Toor
• Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women – Tanya Fir
• Parliamentary Secretary for Community Outreach – Muhhamad Yaseen
• Parliamentary Secretary for Procurement Transformation – David Hanson
• Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business – Martin Long 

Ministers without portfolio

Finally, two minsters without portfolio were also appointed on Oct. 24. Joseph Schow was appointed House Leader. Brad Rutherford was appointed Government Whip. He also continues to serve as the provincial government’s Military Liaison to the Canadian Armed Forces.

By-election

Following the resignation of MLA Michaela Frey, a by-election has been called for Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the constituency of Brooks-Medicine Hat. The individuals who appear on the ballot are:

• Bob Blayone - THE INDEPENDENCE PARTY OF ALBERTA
• Gwendoline Dirk - ALBERTA NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
• Jeevan Mangat - WILDROSE INDEPENDENCE PARTY OF ALBERTA
• Barry Morishita - ALBERTA PARTY
• Danielle Smith - UNITED CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF ALBERTA

Start of fall session delayed

While the Legislature was originally scheduled to resume sitting on October 31, 2022, fall session's start has been delayed until at least November 29 and is expected to run deep into December 2022.