Former Alberta justice minister Verlyn Olson is Alberta’s new agriculture minister.
Premier Alison Redford named her cabinet via Twitter before the swearing-in ceremony in Edmonton May 8.
Olson was first elected as MLA for the Wetaskiwin-Camrose constituency in 2008. Before that he was a partner in the law firm of Andreassen Olson Borth.
Lynn Jacobson, president of the Wild Rose Agricultural Producers said he knows little about the new minister and is “somewhat surprised” at the choice of a minister with limited agricultural knowledge.
“I don’t know how much ag involvement he’s had. He’ll be in a steep learning curve for sure. He’ll be really relying on his staff,” said Jacobson, while seeding near his Enchant, Alta., home.
Olson grew up in Camrose and lives on acreage near Armena and has been involved in local community, sports and arts organizations.
