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Selinger overhauls cabinet

Premier shuffles ministers, adds one new position

By: Bruce Owen

Posted: 11/4/2009 6:49 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Premier Greg Selinger, left, signs in his new cabinet with Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee. All but four current ministers got new jobs. (DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

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CALL it the Selinger shuffle.

Premier Greg Selinger switched almost his entire cabinet and then threw in an extra body for good measure rather than just filling the spot left open by the death of MLA Oscar Lathlin last year.

All but four current cabinet ministers got new jobs, and Selinger added three MLAs from the backbenches to bring the number of cabinet ministers up by one to 19. He also changed the names and responsibilities of several departments.

Selinger said his cabinet reflects the challenges faced by the province and the expectations of Manitobans to increase their quality of life.

"It's a Rubik's cube for sure," Selinger said of picking a cabinet. "There's lots of complexities and issues you have to deal with."

Selinger was to introduce his cabinet Monday, but took an extra day with some last-minute tinkering.

"I picked who I thought were the most suitable and capable people for all the roles we've asked them to fulfil," Selinger said moments after the new ministers were sworn in. "At a time of change and recession, we need many bridges between Manitoba communities and Manitoba people and the government responsible, and this cabinet I think will provide those bridges." Selinger admitted adding the new ministry of housing and community development headed by Kerri Irvin-Ross will increase costs.

"There will be some administrative changes, yes, but it's intended to allow for more dynamism and more creativity on the part of government to respond to the needs of Manitobans," he said. The last cabinet shuffle was three years ago.

Selinger did fill the post left open by Lathlin's death: Eric Robinson is the new aboriginal and northern affairs minister.

Before the shuffle, housing fell under family services, which remains, with Gord Mackintosh staying on as family services minister.

Selinger said housing has become a bigger priority, which needs to be reflected in cabinet. The other cabinet ministers who stay put are Health Minister Theresa Oswald, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick and Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford.

The Progressive Conservatives and Liberals were quick to jump on the new cabinet position, saying during a period of tough economic times, Selinger should shrink government, not make it fatter.

"It shows he's more concerned about the paycheques of NDP MLAs than he is about the taxes of Manitobans," Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen said.

He said cabinet ministers earn about $130,000 and get a vehicle, plus offices in the legislative building.

Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said government can function with 15 cabinet posts.

"When you have a larger cabinet, you have a larger government," he said, adding that's inappropriate when government revenue is shrinking.

The former intergovernmental affairs department will now be called local government, under minister Ron Lemieux.

"Local government I think more accurately reflects what it does," Selinger said. "It works with local governments."

The biggest change in cabinet is former attorney general Dave Chomiak moving to the relatively junior portfolio of innovation, energy and mines, formerly science, technology, energy and mines. Andrew Swan is the new attorney general. "Dave was looking for a change," Selinger said. "He did yeoman's work in the department as attorney general and minister of justice. We wanted to bring a new face in, in the form of Andrew Swan. We think he'll do a good job and carry on the tradition of Dave Chomiak in not only working with dedication, but with compassion and determination to make better justice services in Manitoba."

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca

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