Kenney appoints Schweitzer to lead economic recovery
Madu promoted to justice ministry; embattled Shandro, Lagrange stay put
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney handed out new portfolios to some of his cabinet ministers on Tuesday but kept two of the most embattled — Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Education Minister Adriana Lagrange — in their jobs.
In his first cabinet shuffle since the 2019 election, Kenney moved justice minister and solicitor general Doug Schweitzer to the newly-created Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, which replaces economic development, trade and tourism and has an expanded role.
The shuffle came amid the province’s attempt to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices. Kenney said the changes will allow for a renewed focus on jobs and the economy.
“A clear mandate has been given to the minister, in this case Minister Schweitzer, to work with his colleagues in implementing Alberta’s economic recovery plan,” Kenney said, adding that the mandate will also include working on labour market reforms and training programs as well as launching the new Invest Alberta Agency to promote the province.
As a result of the expanded ministry, Tanya Fir, economic development, trade and tourism minister, was removed from cabinet.
Kaycee Madu, the municipal affairs minister, took over the justice portfolio.
Madu, a lawyer, has been tasked with continuing criminal justice reforms and will be responsible for the ongoing review of the Police Act, as well as electoral reforms Kenney has promised.
Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard was brought in from the backbenches to take over as municipal affairs minister.
Kenney said Allard will be responsible for publishing a report card on the fiscal performances of Alberta municipalities and how they compare to others.
“Tracy will be challenging municipal governments across Alberta to work with us on creating jobs and growth to recover from the COVID catastrophe,” he said.
“It is critical that our municipal governments stop raising taxes, stop adding red tape that inhibits job creation and focus with Alberta’s government on the overriding goal of economic growth, of job creation, of diversification and competitiveness.”
Barry Morishita, president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), called the new municipal affairs minister a “restart.”
The AUMA previously clashed with Madu, calling the relationship “broken” in the wake of the UCP government’s changes to local election rules.
“We just believe that a lot more collaboration and real consultation was needed in order to move together and we’re happy that we have the opportunity to do that,” Morishita said Tuesday.
He said municipalities are willing to work with the government on the fiscal report cards, adding that he’ll be reaching out to the new minister to get more details.
The government is expected to release a fiscal update on Thursday, laying out Alberta’s financial position amid the pandemic and collapsing resource prices. Kenney has previously warned of a “fiscal reckoning.”
NDP finance critic Shannon Phillips accused the government of putting a new face on failed policies that haven’t worked for the economy.
“Shuffling out the economic development minister is an admission that the jobs crisis, particularly here in Calgary, is real,” Phillips said. “I am disappointed that the solutions are not real coming from this government.”
Shandro kept the health portfolio despite a months-long fight with the province’s doctors over his decision to rip up the government’s contract with them.
The Alberta Medical Association has filed a lawsuit accusing the government of violating doctors’ charter rights by passing legislation that gives political leaders the power to unilaterally end their deal.
In July, 66 per cent of Alberta doctors took part in a confidence vote, 98 per cent of whom said they no longer had faith in Shandro as minister. The Opposition NDP has also called for him to be fired.
Kenney reiterated Tuesday that Shandro has his support.
“Every minister of health takes on a tough challenge given that it is nearly half of the provincial government’s budget and Tyler has done what he has to do to stop the out-of-control increase in physician compensation costs,” he said.
Lagrange was not removed from the education portfolio despite facing significant pushback from concerned teachers and parents over her plan to reopen schools in September.
The government has been accused by the Opposition and teachers of not providing enough money to implement the reopening plans and criticized for not capping class sizes.
Meanwhile, federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine Mckenna announced $152 million in combined federal and provincial funding for 20 infrastructure projects in central Alberta.
In Drayton Valley, the funding will build a new aquatic facility with a six-lane pool, 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool, a lazy river, steam room, hot tub, and multi-purpose room.
The facility will have a “net-zero” energy balance by using heat recovered from a nearby hockey arena, according to a government news release.
The spending includes $82 million from Ottawa.