David Marit remains minister of agriculture, but five ministers receive new portfolios
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Two Saskatchewan MLAs are entering cabinet and five returning ministers are taking on new portfolios in Premier Scott Moe’s government.
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty swore in the 18-member cabinet on May 31.
David Marit, the MLA for Wood River, retains his position as minister of agriculture and minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
Daryl Harison, the MLA for Cannington, will serve as the legislative secretary responsible for value-added agriculture and livestock engagement to Minister Marit.
The two MLAs entering cabinet include a new face for the environment file.
Dana Skoropad, the MLA for Arm River, is the new minister of environment. He’s replacing Warren Kaeding, the MLA for Melville-Saltcoats.
And Jeremy Cockrill, the MLA for the Battlefords, is the new minister of highways and Water Security Agency. He’s taking over for Fred Bradshaw, the MLA for Carrot River Valley.
The five cabinet ministers taking on new files during this new legislative session are:
- Rosetown-Elrose MLA Jim Reiter as the new minister of energy and resources,
- Bronwyn Eyre, the MLA for Stonebridge-Dakota, as the new and Saskatchewan’s first-ever female minister of justice and attorney general,
- Gordon Wyant, the Saskatoon Northwest MLA, is the new minister of advanced education,
- Gene Makowsky, the MLA for Regina Gardiner Park, is the minister of social services, and
- Estevan MLA Lori Carr as the new minister of SaskBuilds.
10 other MLAs kept their current cabinet portfolios.
The cabinet appointments and retentions drew pushback from the NDP.
Premier Moe’s cabinet shows he didn’t listen to the people of Saskatchewan, said Opposition Leader Ryan Meili.
“On the issues that matter most to the people of Saskatchewan – the affordability and cost-of-living crisis, health care capacity, cuts to education, investments in mental health – this Cabinet shuffle indicates a status quo approach to addressing these very challenging issues,” he said in a statement. “The Sask. Party had the opportunity to show that they have been listening to the concerns raised by families across this province and put in place ministers ready to do the work. Instead, they’ve maintained the very ministers who take their marching orders and continue to sit on their hands.”