Premier Scott Moe has announced a number of changes to the provincial cabinet with the big one being making Donna Harpauer Deputy Premier.
Harpauer has served in every cabinet since the election of the current government in 2007 and will be the first woman to hold the role in Saskatchewan in more than 30 years.
“Donna Harpauer is one of the longest-serving cabinet ministers in the nation and without a doubt among the most capable and hard-working ministers in Canada,” Moe said in a release. “I am confident that her depth of experience will be a tremendous asset, and I look forward to working closely with her as we work toward a strong economic recovery and balancing the provincial budget by 2024.” Harpauer will remain Finance Minister which is a role she has held since 2017.
Four other MLAs retain their current cabinet portfolios:
- Christine Tell remains Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety. The addition of Public Safety reflects an added cabinet responsibility for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
- Jeremy Harrison remains Minister of Trade and Export Development and Minister of Immigration and Career Training while adding responsibility as Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan and Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan.
- David Marit remains Minister of Agriculture and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
- Bronwyn Eyre remains Minister of Energy and Resources.
Nine MLAs remain in cabinet with new cabinet portfolios:
- Don Morgan becomes Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and becomes Minister responsible for all major crown corporations, including SaskEnergy, SGI, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskGaming and SaskWater. Morgan remains Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board.
- Jim Reiter becomes Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Reiter will oversee a new approach to the management of all infrastructure projects and assets, standardized government procurement and IT infrastructure through the creation of the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, a ministry that will be established from the merged responsibilities of the former Ministry of Central Services and SaskBuilds.
- Dustin Duncan becomes Minister of Education.
- Gordon Wyant becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
- Joe Hargrave becomes Minister of Highways and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.
- Paul Merriman becomes Minister of Health.
- Gene Makowsky becomes Minister of Advanced Education.
- Warren Kaeding becomes Minister of Environment.
- Lori Carr becomes Minister of Social Services.
Three MLAs are entering cabinet:
- Don McMorris becomes Minister of Government Relations, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission.
- Laura Ross becomes Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.
- Everett Hindley becomes Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health. Hindley’s portfolio includes a new, priority focus on mental health and addictions resources, programming and funding, while retaining a priority focus on Seniors and Rural and Remote Health.
“As a cabinet, we are taking up our duties during an uncertain time in this province,” Moe said. “But there is every reason to be optimistic as we work toward building a strong, vibrant, growing Saskatchewan.”
The size of cabinet remains unchanged at 18, including the Premier.
