The number of ministers dropped to 16 from 18 and doubles the load on some ministers
REGINA — Saskatchewan has a new agriculture minister for the first time in six years.
Daryl Harrison, the MLA for Cannington in the province’s southeast, takes over from David Marit, who moved to highways when premier Scott Moe announced his first cabinet after the Oct. 28 election.
Harrison, who spent 30 years in the oil industry and also raised cattle, was first elected in 2020. He has served as legislative secretary to Marit in the areas of value-added agriculture and livestock engagement.
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He was re-elected in October with nearly 74 per cent of the popular vote in his constituency. His responsibilities also include Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. and the Water Security Agency.
Moe announced a smaller cabinet of 16 ministers and a change at every portfolio. He told reporters this is the first time that every single minister has changed since the Sask. Party took power in 2007.
He said he is treating this fifth consecutive win as a new administration.
Many ministers have responsibilities for more than one portfolio.
“The focus of the cabinet selection here today was really in that theme of a new beginning,” he told reporters.
That comes out of the election results that saw the governing party lose 14 seats and five cabinet ministers. It now holds 34 seats to the NDP’s 27 and once a speaker is elected, that will drop closer to the required 31 to maintain the majority on votes in the legislature.
“On that evening there was a majority that voted for the platform that we put forward, which is largely based on making life more affordable in Saskatchewan,” Moe said of election night.
“There were people that also voted for change. It’s on us, on this cabinet, on us as a governing caucus now to do both.”
A speech from the throne to open a fall sitting is expected soon. Moe said residents can expect to see commitments in health care, community safety and education. The latter will include a strong emphasis on Kindergarten to Grade 3 supports and opportunities, he said.
Jim Reiter, first elected in 2007 and a minister since 2009, is now deputy premier and finance minister, as well as the minister of labour and responsible for immigration and career training.
Ministers with new duties include: Everett Hindley from health to education; Jeremy Cockrill from education to health; Lori Carr from highways to mental health and addictions, seniors, and rural and remote health; Tim McLeod, from mental health and addictions to justice, corrections and public safety; Jeremy Harrison from trade and export to Crown Investments Corporation, all the crowns and Public Service Commission; Terry Jenson from SaskBuilds to social services; and Colleen Young from advanced education to energy and resources.
Two former ministers who rejoined the cabinet are Ken Cheveldayoff in advanced education and Warren Kaeding in trade and export development.
Aside from Daryl Harrison, first-time cabinet members are Alana Ross in parks, culture and sport, status of women, tourism and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority; Travis Keisig in environment, and rookie Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Eric Schmalz in government relations, First Nations, Metis and Northern affairs.
McLeod will serve as government house leader and Carr will be deputy house leader. Todd Goudy is government whip and Sean Wilson is the deputy. Jamie Martens is provincial secretary.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
