Moe shuffles Saskatchewan cabinet

The premier quickly batted away speculation on the shuffle.

“What we see here today is a broader move, not a move specific to Minister Ottenbreit in any way. This is a broader move that strengthens the cabinet serving the people of this province,” Scott Moe said at Government House.

Moe called it a “small realignment” several times, and mentioned that he’s doing this ahead of the election which will be coming next fall.

When it comes to the reason Ottenbreit was moved, Moe pointed to the approximately five years Ottenbreit had been in charge of the rural and remote health file. When asked about why he was moved, Ottenbreit said the same thing.

“If you look in history in our province, we’ve never had a minister, I don’t believe, that has spent more than five years or maybe even four years as minister of health. I’ve been there just about five years now, around five years, so it has been quite a while,” Ottenbreit said.

Ottenbreit said he’s still proud of his pro-life view and he won’t back down on them, but he did say that, as a member of government, he could have chosen his words or his venue differently.

He didn’t request a change. In fact, Ottenbreit said he enjoyed rural and remote health.

“I would have loved to have been in an official capacity at the Children’s Hospital opening. It’s something very close to my family’s heart with our history in childhood cancer and childhood health,” said Ottenbreit.

Kaeding will take over in rural and remote health. He also identifies as pro-life, but indicated that won’t be a problem.

“I’m certainly not one to judge on anybody’s decision that comes to that. I’m here to make sure that government policy is implemented and our government has been very clear as to supporting female reproductive rights and I’m going to make sure that that’s implemented,” said Kaeding.

Kaeding said he doesn’t have any plans to speak at any pro-life rallies.

Carr is also taking on responsibility for the Provincial Capital Commission, which oversees Wascana Park. This year there has been a lot of frustration and opposition in the community to new builds being approved for the park.

“I think there are lots of rules that are in place already and we need to look at those bylaws and follow the bylaws. So, as I get into my portfolio and I actually learn to learn a lot more about it, I’ll learn from that.,” said Carr.

Carr is also now the minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and northern affairs, in addition to the minister of government relations and the Provincial Capital Commission.

Ottenbreit is now the minister of highways and infrastructure, but he’s also now responsible for the Water Security Agency.

And Kaeding is the new rural and remote health minister, as well as the minister for the new seniors file.

Moe said the minister for seniors will give seniors in the province a direct line to government and an opportunity to influence policy.

The NDP’s Carla Beck responded to the cabinet shuffle, calling it relatively minor as three ministers with “significant issues” were swapped around, including Ottenbreit.

“I’m not sure all of these problems are going to be solved by just a shuffle, but certainly there were significant concerns with Mr. Ottenbreit and his ability to carry out his duties with regard to women’s health,” Beck said.

Beck also responded to the appointment of Kaeding to rural and remote health and seniors, saying there isn’t the same level of concern around the position given Ottenbreit’s previous comments at pro-life rallies.

A number of smaller ministries were amalgamated into larger ones, including the Water Security Agency, and the creation of a seniors file to the health ministry.

“It remains to be seen but we want to make sure that those significant roles have the capacity with (the minsters),” said Beck. “But also that they’re not made so broad that they lose the focus that they so deserve.”

However, Beck welcomes the addition of a seniors file to the health ministry.

“This is something that is an issue for people right around the province,” she said. “We see an aging demographic and (it’s) long overdue.”

In addition to the moves in cabinet, Todd Goudy was asked to take on the role of provincial secretary.

Nadine Wilson previously held that role, but stepped down last month after she was charged with assault for an alleged altercation with an in-law.

Moe felt it was fine for Wilson to continue serving in cabinet while the charges play out.

“Like any other person here in the province, we’ll allow her to have her day and represent herself in the court, and then we’ll make decisions after that,” said Moe.

Moe said there’s no place for violence against the elderly in Saskatchewan.

by CJME News Staff

Moe shuffles Saskatchewan cabinet

What's Trending