Alberta Premier Stelmach has just announced some additions to Cabinet with three changes for Calgary.
Ron Stevens is Deputy Premier in addition to his role as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. This is a very wise move at so many levels by Premier and not just to appease Calgary. Stevens is one of the most respected and capable Ministers in the fold.
Cindy Ady (Calgary Shaw) is Associate Minister of Tourism Promotion (with responsibility for Alberta's participation in activities pertaining to the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia). Another capable person but a strange mandate I must say. But the backgrounder on the News Release adds “Sport” in terms of “participation in communities, schools and workplaces” …maybe she is the anti-obesity Associate Minister too? We could use an emphasis on this problem (including me). Another Cabinet Vote for Calgary is the politics at play here.
Yvonne Fritz (Calgary Cross) is back but working as Associate Minister of Affordable Housing and Urban Development. She had her challenges in the Seniors and Community Services portfolio before, especially in getting crown land released for Fort McMurray housing…lots of false starts mostly because the corporate history of the government had been let go during the Debt and Deficit civil service purging in the mid 90’s. Ray Danyluk needs the help because of volume of work and the complexity of issues…an Associate Minister should help carry some of the work load. Politics is more voice for Calgary.
Finally we have Gene Zwozdesky, MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek, as Associate Minister for Capital Planning. This is a very bright light move. Edmonton now has 2 Ministers to Calgary’s 5 but the real story is the need for more urban voices has been heard by the Premier. The importance of infrastructure planning in managing growth is a key focus of the Stelmach government. There has been serious political damage caused by years of neglect in this area. Gene is on top of the issues and at the top of his game. It is good to see this important function given the Cabinet status it needs.
I am pleased to see the quick response to the obvious need for more urban representation in Cabinet and a capable newcomer like Cindy Ady getting a chance.
Stelmach can't weather any storm can he? He's faaaaarrrr to reactionary for my liking.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry sir, but as far as I'm concerned you are done.
Not to appear overly-sensitive to the Calgary vs Edmonton thing, but wouldn't it have been possible / better to maintain a closer balance of ministers between the two large urban centres? It's wise for Stelmach to add urban weight, but why reward the inaccurate complaining from Calgary that they were getting the short-end of the stick? Edmonton seems to be receiving that yet again with this move, no?
ReplyDeleteAnon: Not to be forgotten is the large disparity between the number of Tory MLA's in the 2 cities. If Ed wants 5 MLA's in cabinet from each centre, he'll be appointing Liberals and Dippers from Edmonton - it just doesn't have the Tory members to keep pace with Calgary.
ReplyDeleteThe recent Ipsos Reid poll shows Calgary as the new Redmonton.
ReplyDeleteStelmach has strong support everywhere but Calgary. Klein had strong support everywhere but Edmonton.
AND the relative support levels for each party is exactly were they were at the last election.
Plus ca change!
Smart move by Ed. Gene should of remained as Ed minister, but it is good to see him at the table.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you say Ken, this remains a desperation move. Calgary and Edmonton are both in play in the next election and there is a great chance that we could end up with a minority government.
ReplyDeleteAP - necessity has its own virtue and may or may not be desperation. That is for others (like citizens) to decide.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right about both Edmonton and Calgary being "in play in the next election."
Calgary has been in play since 2004 and Edmonton for much longer ever since then sitting Premier Don Getty lost his seat to Liberal Percy Wickman.
I just hope "in play" means citizens actually show up at the next election and do not continue to disengage even more.
I am a Stelmach supporter, but to me the mini-shuffle smacks of desperation.
ReplyDeleteThe Premier's Office has just re-inflated the size of cabinet to 21 from 18, contradicting a promise they made six months ago to reduce the number of ministers.
Rather than creating more seats at the table with Associate Ministers, a model that generally does not work since it pits Ministers with departments against Ministers without departments, it would have been better if certain non-performers had been dropped from cabinet and replaced with a greater urban contingent.
As for being in play, I would also suggest to you that Northern Alberta is in play as well if you look at the results of the Ipsos Reid poll.
Anon@6:45
ReplyDeleteWho would you drop from Cabinet and why?
It is still smaller than Klein's Cabinet.