The Saskatchewan government announced a major cabinet reshuffle, with Colleen Young, MLA for Lloydminster and former Minister of Energy and Resources, stepping down from cabinet to serve as chair of a legislative committee.
Meanwhile, Kim Gartner, MLA for Kindersley‑Biggar, is the new Minister of Highways.
In the shake-up, James Thorsteinson, MLA for Cut Knife–Turtleford, has been appointed Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, a role that adds an annual stipend of $3,000.
Ministers leaving cabinet
Colleen Young, along with Travis Keisig and Daryl Harrison, exited cabinet and are transitioning to legislative committee chair roles.
Legislative Secretary appointments
Eight MLAs now serve as legislative secretaries, supporting various ministries and earning $3,000 annually:
- James Thorsteinson (Cut Knife‑Turtleford): to the Minister of Agriculture
- Travis Keisig: to the Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation
- Blaine McLeod (Lumsden‑Morse): to the Minister of Community Safety
- Barret Kropf (Dakota‑Arm River): to the Minister of Education
- Kevin Weedmark (Moosomin‑Montmartre): to the Minister of Health
- Megan Patterson (Moose Jaw‑Wakamow): to the Minister of Social Services
- Brad Crassweller (White City‑Qu’Appelle): to the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport
- Jamie Martens (Martensville‑Blairmore): to the Minister of Trade and Export Development
Five new cabinet ministers appointed
Premier Scott Moe welcomed five first-time MLAs into cabinet to balance fresh perspectives and experience. The new ministers are:
- Mike Weger (Weyburn‑Bengough): Minister of Community Safety & Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
- Chris Beaudry (Kelvington‑Wadena): Minister of Energy and Resources
- Darlene Rowden (Batoche): Minister of Environment
- Kim Gartner (Kindersley‑Biggar): Minister of Highways
- Sean Wilson (Canora‑Pelly): Minister of SaskBuilds & Procurement
Added duties for existing ministers
- David Marit (Wood River): Minister of Agriculture & Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
- Ken Cheveldayoff (Saskatoon‑Willowgrove): Minister of Advanced Education; Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
- Eric Schmalz (Saskatchewan Rivers): Minister of Government Relations; Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis & Northern Affairs; and Minister of Immigration and Career Training
- Warren Kaeding (Melville‑Saltcoats): Minister of Trade and Export Development; Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Authority
Portfolio shifts for some ministers
Several experienced ministers will get more responsibilities:
- Jim Reiter (Rosetown‑Delisle): Deputy Premier & Minister of Finance
- Tim McLeod (Moose Jaw North): Minister of Justice & Government House Leader
- Jeremy Cockrill (The Battlefords): Minister of Health
- Lori Carr (Estevan‑Big Muddy): Minister of Mental Health & Addictions, Seniors and Rural & Remote Health; Deputy House Leader
- Everett Hindley (Swift Current): Minister of Education
- Jeremy Harrison (Meadow Lake): Minister responsible for Crown Investment Corporation, Public Service Commission, and Lotteries & Gaming Saskatchewan
- Terry Jenson (Warman): Minister of Social Services
- Alana Ross (Prince Albert‑Northcote): Minister of Parks, Culture & Sport; Tourism Saskatchewan; and Status of Women
Opposition reaction
The Saskatchewan NDP has likened the premier’s cabinet re-shuffle to rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship. Read more here.
