Premier Moe Announces Smaller, Rural-Dominated Cabinet

REGINA, SK – Following the Saskatchewan Party’s fifth successive electoral win on October 28th, Premier Scott Moe has announced his new cabinet, featuring a blend of seasoned MLAs and fresh faces, with each portfolio getting a new Minister.  

With five cabinet ministers defeated at the polls and a number deciding not to run again, Premier Moe faced a reduced pool of experienced MLAs from which to draw his cabinet, particularly from urban areas.

Key Cabinet Appointments  

The government’s longest-serving minister, Jim Reiter (Rosetown-Delisle), will assume the roles of Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance. He will also lead the portfolios for Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, as well as Immigration and Career Training.  

New Ministers  
Four MLAs are stepping into cabinet roles for the first time:  

• Alana Ross (Prince Alberta Northcote) will serve as Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Tourism Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority  

• Daryl Harrison (Meadow Lake) has been appointed the Minister of Agriculture  

• Travis Keisig (Last Mountain-Touchwood) as Minister of Environment  

• Eric Schmalz (Saskatchewan Rivers) as Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis, and Northern Affairs  

Returning Ministers  
Two former cabinet ministers have rejoined Cabinet:  

• Ken Cheveldayoff (Saskatoon Willowgrove) as Minister of Advanced Education  

• Warren Kaeding (Melville-Saltcoats) as Minister of Trade and Export Development  

Current Ministers in New Roles  
Several current ministers have been appointed to new cabinet portfolios:  

• Everett Hindley (Swift Current) as Minister of Education  

• Jeremy Cockrill (The Battlefords) as Minister of Health  

• Lori Carr (Estavan-Big Muddy) as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health  

• Tim McLeod (Moose Jaw North) as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety  

• David Marit (Wood River) as Minister of Highways and Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement  

• Jeremy Harrison (Meadow Lake) as Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation and the Public Service Commission  

• Terry Jenson (Warman) as Minister of Social Services  

• Colleen Young (Lloydminster) as Minister of Energy and Resources  

This streamlined 16-member cabinet is two ministers smaller than its predecessor. However, women occupy only three portfolios, a lower representation than in previous Saskatchewan Party cabinets. Moreover, due to the NDP’s electoral success in Regina and Saskatoon, there is also a noticeable lack of representation from the two largest cities in cabinet, except for Ken Cheveldayoff, the MLA for Saskatoon Willowgrove.   

What’s Next  

Premier Moe has announced a short fall legislative session, during which the government is expected to introduce several government bills to fulfill the Saskatchewan Party’s platform commitments. The date for the Speech from the Throne will be released soon.  
  
In the coming months, the newly appointed Minister of Finance Jim Reiter will be combing through the government finances to deliver on major platform commitments including the personal income tax reductions and raising the Low Income Tax Credit while also working towards a balanced budget in 2027-28.  

With the Public Safety portfolio being brought back into the Minister of Justice and Attorney General’s purview, Minister Tim McLeod will have a lot on his plate as he works with municipalities and the RCMP to fund and hire 500 more police officers.   

Minister Harrison and Minister Keisig will be leading Saskatchewan’s fight against the federal carbon tax in their respective portfolios.  

Stay connected with Counsel’s Prairie team for updates on the re-elected Saskatchewan Party government’s policy agenda. Contact us for support on specific policy issues relevant to your organization via email at sask@counselpa.com.