Premier Danielle Smith has shuffled Alberta’s cabinet after two ministers announced they will not seek re-election and agreed to step aside to allow successors to transition into the roles.
On Thursday, Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani swore in six ministers taking on new portfolios.
The changes include RJ Sigurdson becoming minister of affordability and utilities and Nathan Neudorf taking over as minister of assisted living and social services. Adriana LaGrange is now minister of hospital and surgical health services, while Justin Wright becomes minister of primary and preventative health services.
Jason Nixon has been named president of treasury board and minister of finance, while first-term MLA Tara Sawyer takes over as minister of agriculture and irrigation.
The government also announced Brandon Lunty will serve as chief government whip and Scott Cyr will become parliamentary secretary for transportation and strategic development.
In a statement, Smith said the changes are intended to keep cabinet focused on economic growth, health care, community safety and affordability.
“Albertans expect their government to stay focused on the issues that matter most in their daily lives,” Smith said. “This cabinet will continue working to strengthen our economy, improve services, support safe communities and ensure Alberta remains the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.”
The shuffle follows the departures of Nate Horner and Matt Jones from cabinet. Both ministers announced they will not seek re-election in 2027.
Jones, first elected in 2019 under then-premier Jason Kenney, said he entered politics to ensure “our children had the same opportunity to live, work, and raise a family in Alberta.”
“The previous government had raised taxes, increased regulatory burden, and damaged Alberta’s reputation and balance sheet through anti-business and anti-energy policies,” Jones wrote.
He thanked Smith and Kenney for entrusting him with several cabinet portfolios, including children’s services, affordability and utilities, jobs, economy and trade, and hospital and surgical health services.
“Working to improve the healthcare of Albertans and promoting Alberta globally to attract investment and jobs have been the highlights of my career,” Jones wrote.
Horner issued a similar statement, saying it was an honour to serve as Alberta’s finance minister and president of treasury board following the United Conservative Party’s 2023 election victory.
He said he had previously informed the premier that a second term would likely be his last and decided the original plan remained the best fit for him and his family.
“In discussing my plans with the Premier we both felt it was important for the election year budget to be built by a member of cabinet who will be running for re-election, and therefore I will not continue in my role as Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board,” Horner stated.
The province said cabinet members will continue working on issues affecting families, workers, businesses and communities across Alberta.
