Photo by Manfred Joehnck.
There has been a major shakeup in the provincial government.
Four rookie MLA’s have been appointed to cabinet, six ministers have changed positions and the cabinet has been reduced by one.
Among the changes is health, where Jim Reiter takes over from Dustin Duncan, who becomes the minister in charge of energy and Sasktel. Reiter also leaves his job as minister responsible for First Nations and Metis relations.
“To me it was all about building relationships and to a large degree I was able to do that,” he said. “I am thankful for that, but I think the new minister is going to do a great job at that as well.”
The new minister for First Nations, Metis and Northern affairs will be Donna Harpauer, who was the former social services minister.
“You know it is always hard to change roles,” she said. “But at the same time, it is very exciting because I love learning new files. This will be my fourth significant change.”
Harpauer says she has already done a lot of work on Aboriginal issues during her role as social services minister.
That role has now been turned over to cabinet newcomer Tina Beaudry-Mellor. Veteran MLA and current Education Minister, Don Morgan has been named the new deputy premier.
“The priorities of the new cabinet will be keeping Saskatchewan’s economy strong while carefully managing the province’s finances through this challenging time,” said Premier Brad Wall. “I am confident we have the right group of women and men to meet this challenge.”