Summary
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced Aug. 30 that MLA Larry Doke will become Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs and Minister of Government Relations. Doke represents Cut Knife-Turtleford for the Saskatchewan Party.
Doke was first elected in 2011. He is the former owner/operator of Fairview Dodge in North Battleford. He has served as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Highways and sat as a member of the Public Accounts Committee. This is his first appointment to a cabinet post.
Five ministers will remain in cabinet but change portfolios:
- Deputy Premier Don Morgan becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General, while retaining responsibility for Labour and the Workers’ Compensation Board;
- Donna Harpauer becomes Minister of Finance;
- Kevin Doherty becomes Minister of Advanced Education;
- Bronwyn Eyre becomes Minister of Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women; and
- Dustin Duncan becomes Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for SaskPower, SaskWater, the Water Security Agency and the Global Transportation Hub.
Doke joins other MLAs entering cabinet for the first time.
- Nancy Heppner re-enters cabinet as Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission;
- Paul Merriman becomes Minister of Social Services and Government Deputy House Leader;
- Steven Bonk becomes Minister of Economy and Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan, Innovation and Trade;
- Gene Makowsky becomes Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Six other ministers will retain their current cabinet responsibilities:
- Lyle Stewart remains Minister of Agriculture and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance;
- Jim Reiter remains Minister of Health;
- Greg Ottenbreit remains Minister of Rural and Remote Health;
- Christine Tell remains Minister responsible for Central Services and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission and the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation;
- Joe Hargrave remains Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation and Saskatchewan Government Insurance while adding responsibility for SaskEnergy and SaskTel; and
- David Marit remains Minister of Highways and Infrastructure while adding responsibility for SaskBuilds and Priority Saskatchewan.
Greg Brkich becomes the new Government House Leader. Warren Kaeding becomes Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for SaskTel (Cellular and Internet Coverage) in addition to his current duties as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture (Irrigation Expansion).
“This new cabinet provides a strong balance of experience and new perspectives as our government goes through the transition period leading to the selection of the new Premier early in 2018,” said Wall said.
The overall size of the cabinet remains unchanged at 17, including the Premier.