As was widely expected, Rosann Wowchuk was named Manitoba’s new agriculture minister last week.
New NDP premier Gary Doer and his cabinet were sworn in Oct. 5.
Wowchuk will be part of a slimmer cabinet. Doer shaved four positions from the 18-member cabinet of his Tory predecessor Gary Filmon.
The rural development department will be melded with urban affairs into a new intergovernmental affairs department, led by Jean Friesen, MLA for the urban riding of Wolseley.
Doer also combined natural resources, environment and energy to create the conservation portfolio, which will be managed by The Pas MLA Oscar Lathlin.
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Steve Ashton, who represents the northern riding of Thompson, will be minister for the combined department of highways and government services.
Aside from Wowchuk, only one other rural MLA is in cabinet.
Ron Lemieux, who upset a Tory backbencher incumbent in the southeastern Manitoba riding of La Verendrye, will be minister of consumer and corporate affairs.
Don Zasada, deputy minister of agriculture, retains his role.
Other cabinet positions include:
- Dave Chomiak, health.
- Greg Selinger, finance.
- Becky Barrett, labor and multiculturalism.
- MaryAnn Mihychuk, industry and trade.
- Drew Caldwell, education.
- Gord Mackintosh, justice.
- Eric Robinson, aboriginal and northern affairs.
- Diane McGifford, culture and tourism, status of women, seniors.
- Tim Sale, family services and housing.
Doer also named himself minister of federal-provincial relations.
