Justice minister announces birth of girl
Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley — who took maternity leave this week — has given birth to her first child.
The Calgary-Buffalo MLA announced the arrival via Twitter on Tuesday.
“My husband and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter, Wren. She was born Monday evening, weighing just over 8 pounds. We are so in love!” Ganley tweeted.
The government said this week that Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt will handle Ganley’s responsibilities until her return.
Besides Premier Rachel Notley and Ganley, there are two other lawyers in the NDP cabinet: Service Alberta Minister Stephanie McLean and Minister of Community and Social Services Irfan Sabir.
Notley passed them over, however, to put Schmidt — a non-lawyer — in the justice portfolio.
“The decision was made in consideration of ministers’ availability,” Ganley’s press secretary, Veronica Jubinville, said in an email.
“Minister Sabir is very busy with AISH and other files concerning the disabilities community. Minister McLean is in charge of two ministries already and will be bringing forward legislation related to her ministry in the near future.”
Jubinville said there is no timeline for when Ganley will resume her duties.
She said Ganley’s constituency office staff will help out with her Calgary-Buffalo constituents’ concerns and questions until she is back.
Ganley is just the latest example of a baby boom within the NDP government. McLean and associate health minister Brandy Payne were both appointed to cabinet in 2016 while they were pregnant.