Something old, something new — and one fierce Jason Kenney loyalist left out, and likely feeling blue..Alberta Premier Danielle Smith named her first cabinet Friday, 24 ministers in all.. Travis ToewsTravis Toews .Absent from the lineup was Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon, who once held the lofty government house leader position. But Joseph Schow, Nixon’s sidekick during the Kenney reign, is house leader and a minister without portfolio..Included were five of Smith’s six challengers in the leadership race. Travis Toews will continue to serve as the extremely capable finance minister he has proven to be. Brian Jean is minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development. Rebecca Schulz replaces Ric McIver as minister of Municipal Affairs. And Rajan Sawhney will serve as minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism..Leela Aheer, who once served as minister of culture, multiculturalism, and status of women before Kenney shuffled her out, was not named to anything..Both Aheer and Nixon may be special cases..Smith promised to investigate reopening nominations in ridings where challengers and UCP members alleged they had the deck stacked against them, but indicated the actual decision to overturn a nomination rested with the party's governing board. One happens to be Nixon’s riding. Should that nomination be reopened, Nixon would face a formidable challenge from Tim Hoven, who said he’ll definitely take another run at it..And Aheer, who came in last in the leadership race, looks set to lose the pending nomination in Chestermere-Strathmore..When Smith was announced the victor on October 6 in a leadership race where lines between MLAs were clearly and deeply divided, she secured 53.77% of the vote, while Toews got 46.33%..Smith promised to wipe the slate clean and work for Albertans..In appointing several ministers who served in Kenney’s cabinet, she's shown for her, choosing the most capable people to serve Albertans trumps any bad feelings or personal grudges. She looked past the hard shots levelled at her and the painful-to-watch press conference held by four of her six opponents, who ganged up on her like mean girls to trash her proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act..Meanwhile, Tyler Shandro stays in Justice, Adrianna LaGrange in Education, Jason Copping in Health, Demetrois Nicolaides in Advanced Education, and Rick Wilson as minister of Indigenous Relations..Kaycee Madu will serve a dual role, overseeing Skilled Trades and Professions and serve as deputy premier, a position shared with Nathan Neudorf, who will take on a new role as Infrastructure minister..If Smith unleashes her cabinet to use their expertise and strengths without dictating every little decision from the premier’s chair — like many complained former-premier Jason Kenney did — Alberta will be well served..Todd Loewen, who was kicked out of the party by Kenney, is back where he belongs in the UCP fold. Although many would have been happy to see him sitting in the deputy premier’s chair, he's been appointed minister of Forestry, Parks, and Tourism. Peter Guthrie — as a backbencher — was no shrinking violet when this and that was going on with lockdowns, crushed freedoms, and assorted tyrannical mandates inflicted on Albertans. He forcefully spoke out against decisions made by the Kenney’s regime. There’s no doubt, Guthrie as Energy minister will be able to stand up to the likes of federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen and federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault — with one hand tied behind his back..Reclaiming Alberta’s energy rights is a big part of reclaiming Alberta’s equal partnership at the table in confederation, as Smith has vowed to do via her proposed Sovereignty Act.. Brian JeanBrian Jean .Smith will run in a Brooks-Medicine Hat Medicine Hat by-election for the seat vacated by MLA Michaela Frey..Some criticized her for opting not to call a by-election in Calgary-Elbow where a seat will remain vacant until next May’s provincial election..Some (mostly NDP supporters trying to poke at her leadership wisdom) harrumphed and grumbled that her campaign focused too heavily on winning back rural support — 41 ridings outside of Calgary and Edmonton in a province with a total of 87 — and neglecting the big cities..Smith’s cabinet lineup actually shows rural and urban ridings will be on the same footing in her government. Imagine that!.Finally..The new cabinet will be sworn in Monday.
