Alberta Premier Jason Kenney shuffles his cabinet

Premier Jason Kenney has shuffled his cabinet as his government adjusts its agenda for the next two years.

Ministers and associate ministers were sworn in Thursday during a ceremony at Government House in Edmonton.

• Rajan Sawhney, MLA for Calgary-North East and currently the minister of community and social services, is now minister of transportation.
• Tanya Fir, MLA for Calgary-Peigan, is the new associate minister of red tape reduction.
• Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, is now associate minister of rural economic development.
• Muhammad Yaseen, MLA for Calgary-North, becomes associate minister of immigration and multiculturalism.
• Whitney Issik, MLA for Calgary-Glenmore, becomes associate minister of status of women, and the chief government whip.
• Ron Orr, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, becomes the minister of culture.
• Mike Ellis, MLA for Calgary-West and currently the chief government whip, becomes associate minister of mental health and addictions.
• Jason Luan, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and currently the associate minister of mental health and addictions, becomes the minister of community and social services.

Ric McIver, who has been minister of transportation and municipal affairs, retains the municipal portfolio.

McIver stepped into the dual role in January after then-municipal affairs minister Tracy Allard resigned for taking a Hawaii vacation during the pandemic.

Fir previously served in cabinet as minister of economic development, trade and tourism (now known as the ministry of jobs, economy and innovation) but was shuffled out in the fall.

Culture, multiculturalism and status of women minister Leela Aheer was demoted from cabinet.

Aheer recently chastised the premier for holding a private gathering with other cabinet ministers on the rooftop patio of a government building in contravention of physical distancing public health orders. The premier subsequently apologized after Aheer told CBC News she expected him to.

NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley is expected to respond at 12:15 p.m.

Kenney’s personal popularity plummeted during the pandemic, as did support for his party. Multiple polls over the past few months have suggested he is among the least-liked premiers in the country. Other surveys have suggested his United Conservative Party is trailing the Opposition NDP.

His government has branded this summer as a reset for the province as COVID-19 restrictions lift and the economy continues to recover.