Shuffle puts new faces in key environment, energy posts
CALGARY — Two key pillars of the Alberta government — energy development and the environment — are in new hands as the province faces unprecedented scrutiny at home and abroad in the critical areas.
As part of Friday’s wideranging provincial cabinet shuffle, Diana McQueen, Environment Minister since Alison Redford became premier in 2011, takes over the Energy portfolio from Calgary-West MLA Ken Hughes, who moves to Municipal Affairs. Robin Campbell is promoted from Aboriginal Relations to Environment and Sustainable Resources.
McQueen, MLA for Drayton Valley-Devon, said she developed a good relationship with the oilpatch while in the environment ministry and there is significant overlap between the two portfolios.
But the 52-year-old faced controversy at times as environment minister as the Alberta government drew fire for a lack of action on greenhouse gas emissions. She was also criticized for her handling of a court ruling that said government officials had shown bias in the environmental review process.
NDP Leader Brian Mason said it was no surprise to see McQueen switch posts.
“Diana McQueen going to energy, she was just an apologist for the energy industry anyway as the environment minister, so I guess she can now do that more legitimately,” he said. “Putting Robin Campbell in the position of environment minister is a mistake because he is Mr. Coal.”
Campbell was the president of the local United Mine Workers of America before being elected in 2008 as the MLA for West Yellowhead.