Changes to Manitoba Cabinet Move Province Forward

Record Number of Women In Key Positions

As reported by the Government of Manitoba News Media Services

November 3rd, 2009

Premier Greg Selinger said today's appointments of three new ministers and the updated responsibilities of others renew and strengthen the cabinet, the size of which is 19 including the premier.

The new ministers are:

• Jennifer Howard - minister of labour and immigration and minister responsible for persons with disabilities;
• Bill Blaikie - minister of conservation; and
• Flor Marcelino - minister of culture, heritage and tourism;

Selinger said the three new ministers all have outstanding records of public service and he expects them to make a strong contribution at the cabinet table.

"As we work with all Manitobans to build a stronger, more compassionate province, I'm very pleased to be able to involve people of this calibre in the decision-making process," said Selinger. "I'm confident these new ministers being appointed today will make Manitoba people proud."

Veteran MLAs Rosann Wowchuk and Eric Robinson will serve as deputy premiers.

Other changes to the cabinet include:

• Wowchuk - minister of finance;
• Andrew Swan - minister of justice and attorney general;
• Stan Struthers - minister of agriculture, food and rural initiatives;
• Kerri Irvin-Ross - minister of housing and community development;
• Robinson - minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs;
• Steve Ashton - minister of infrastructure and transportation;
• Jim Rondeau - minister of healthy living, citizenship and youth;
• Peter Bjornson - minister of entrepreneurship, training and trade;
• Dave Chomiak - minister of innovation, energy and mines;
• Nancy Allan - minister of education; and
• Ron Lemieux - minister of local government.

Theresa Oswald remains as minister of health, Gord Mackintosh will remain as minister of family services and takes on the additional responsibility of consumer affairs, Diane McGifford will remain as minister of advanced education and literacy, and Christine Melnick remains as minister of water stewardship. Selinger assumes responsibility for federal-provincial relations and retains responsibility for francophone affairs.

"I'm extremely pleased to have a strong core of eight women in cabinet," said Selinger, noting that Wowchuk will be the first female minister of finance in the province's history. "I believe we have the right mix at the cabinet table to do the job that Manitobans expect of us."

In addition to his new cabinet responsibilities, Bill Blaikie will become the government house leader.

Legislative assistants include:

• Rob Altemeyer - housing and community development, and conservation;
• Greg Dewar - finance;
• Tom Nevakshonoff - conservation;
• Mohinder Saran - premier's office;
• Erin Selby - family services and consumer affairs, and culture, heritage and tourism; and
• Drew Caldwell - premier's office.

"We will continue to build upon the progress that we have made in the past decade," said Selinger. "With this team of experienced, bright, hard-working people, I know we will continue to make progress on the priorities of all Manitobans."