Leela Aheer learned the hard way never to upset the boss..The Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women minister was booted from Premier Jason Kenney’s cabinet on Thursday in a mid-term cabinet shuffle..Aheer criticized Kenney after the Sky Patio Scandal, which saw the premier dine outside with other cabinet ministers and aides in an event that broke COVID-19 regulations. Kenney finally apologized several days later after initially denying any regulations were broken..After being demoted last fall, Tanya Fir returns to cabinet as the associate minister of red tape reduction..Ric McIver, who was holding two jobs as minister of transportation and municipal affairs, will stay in the municipal portfolio..Current Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney moves positions to the transportation file..Other changes include:.Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, becomes associate minister of Rural Economic Development, under the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, becomes associate minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism, under the Ministry of Labour and Immigration.Whitney Issik, MLA for Calgary-Glenmore, becomes the associate minister of Status of Women, under the Ministry of Culture and Status of Women, and the chief government whip.Ron Orr, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, becomes the minister of Culture. He replaces Grant Hunter who has been dropped from cabinet.Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary-West and currently the chief government whip, becomes associate minister of Mental Health and Addictions.Jason Luan, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and currently the associate minister of Mental Health and Addictions, becomes the minister of Community and Social Services..Kenney announced the shuffle as his government is riding low in the polls, which show the NDP comfortably ahead..“Alberta is leading Canada out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into strong economic growth. This renewal of our cabinet will support Alberta’s Recovery Plan, a plan to build, to diversify the economy and to create jobs,” said Kenney..“With six new voices and strong, experienced ministers moving into important economic roles, Alberta’s government is ready to deliver a strong recovery for all Albertans.”.Kenney also announced the appointment of Pam Livingston as chief of staff, with acting Chief of Staff Larry Kaumeyer returning to his previous role as principal secretary to the premier..more to come….Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
Leela Aheer learned the hard way never to upset the boss..The Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women minister was booted from Premier Jason Kenney’s cabinet on Thursday in a mid-term cabinet shuffle..Aheer criticized Kenney after the Sky Patio Scandal, which saw the premier dine outside with other cabinet ministers and aides in an event that broke COVID-19 regulations. Kenney finally apologized several days later after initially denying any regulations were broken..After being demoted last fall, Tanya Fir returns to cabinet as the associate minister of red tape reduction..Ric McIver, who was holding two jobs as minister of transportation and municipal affairs, will stay in the municipal portfolio..Current Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney moves positions to the transportation file..Other changes include:.Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, becomes associate minister of Rural Economic Development, under the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, becomes associate minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism, under the Ministry of Labour and Immigration.Whitney Issik, MLA for Calgary-Glenmore, becomes the associate minister of Status of Women, under the Ministry of Culture and Status of Women, and the chief government whip.Ron Orr, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, becomes the minister of Culture. He replaces Grant Hunter who has been dropped from cabinet.Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary-West and currently the chief government whip, becomes associate minister of Mental Health and Addictions.Jason Luan, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and currently the associate minister of Mental Health and Addictions, becomes the minister of Community and Social Services..Kenney announced the shuffle as his government is riding low in the polls, which show the NDP comfortably ahead..“Alberta is leading Canada out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into strong economic growth. This renewal of our cabinet will support Alberta’s Recovery Plan, a plan to build, to diversify the economy and to create jobs,” said Kenney..“With six new voices and strong, experienced ministers moving into important economic roles, Alberta’s government is ready to deliver a strong recovery for all Albertans.”.Kenney also announced the appointment of Pam Livingston as chief of staff, with acting Chief of Staff Larry Kaumeyer returning to his previous role as principal secretary to the premier..more to come….Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
