Redford's new cabinet could be a mix of old hands and rookie MLAs

EDMONTON - When Premier Alison Redford sits down to remake her cabinet over the next two weeks, a handful of rookie MLAs could be included.

While many current ministers are expected to keep their jobs, Redford will undoubtedly want some of her new caucus members in cabinet, Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said.

“There are a series of variables you are looking for. You are looking for regional balances, you are looking at gender and ethnic diversity, and of course you are looking at talent and expertise.”

As a result of Monday’s election, close to half the incoming MLAs are legislature rookies, including 22 Tory members. At the same time, four cabinet ministers — Ray Danyluk, Evan Berger, Jack Hayden, and Ted Morton — lost their seats to the Wildrose party, while a fifth minister, Ron Liepert, stepped down prior to the election.

Two of the most crucial portfolios currently vacant are finance and energy. While it might be assumed the premier would want experienced political hands in both those posts, Bratt said it’s possible to give them to new MLAs if they have strong managerial skills.

One likely candidate on Redford’s short list is Ken Hughes from Calgary-West, a longtime friend of the premier. While Hughes has been a lightning rod for criticism from his time as chairman of Alberta Health Services, he also has considerable expertise as founder of an insurance and financial services company.

“Redford put a lot of her political capital on Ken Hughes and they have a long history together and he has management experience,” Bratt said. “I don’t know where he’ll go but I expect he’ll be in a senior position.”

He said it will be interesting to see if Redford appoints a bona fide fiscal hawk to the finance position to placate the more right-wing members of her party.

Among those with a conservative outlook, former Calgary councillor Ric McIver could be on the list, while Edmonton-Gold Bar’s David Dorward owns an accounting firm.

In energy, new MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans from Calgary-Varsity has strong credentials as an executive in the industry.

As for the major portfolios of health, education, and human services, Bratt said he expects current ministers Fred Horne, Thomas Lukaszuk and Dave Hancock to keep their posts. Should they get moved, Hughes could step into health, while education could potentially go to Calgary school principal Christine Cusanelli. Appointing Cusanelli and Kennedy-Glans would also take care of criticism Redford faced in her first cabinet announcement last fall, when she appointed only two women.

Those two, Diana McQueen in environment and water, and Heather Klimchuk in culture and community services, will likely stay in cabinet. Other women who could be considered include Cathy Olesen in Sherwood Park, and Jacquie Fenske in Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.

As for ethnic diversity, Manmeet Bhullar is currently the only visible minority among the group.

“I think he’ll stay in cabinet. I think they see him as an up and comer,” Bratt said.

The premier will also have to maintain some geographic diversity in her inner circle, he said. The four ministers who lost their seats on Monday were all from rural ridings, meaning Redford will have to ensure some new rural MLAs go into cabinet.

She won’t have many to pick from in southern Alberta, since the Wildrose snapped up most of those seats. The exception was Lethbridge, where two Tories were voted in — current advanced education minister Greg Weadick, and former Liberal Bridget Pastoor.

“Given that the PC caucus consists of only two MLAs south of Calgary, look for both Lethbridge MLAs to potentially get to cabinet,” said Lethbridge College political scientist Faron Ellis.

To the north, the oilsands boom town of Fort McMurray has been demanding a cabinet spot ever since Guy Boutilier was dumped by premier Ed Stelmach in 2008. Former city councillor Mike Allen, who defeated Boutilier on Monday, might get the nod to take over Danyluk’s transportation post, Bratt said.

Ken Kowalski’s departure means the legislature will also elect its first new speaker in 15 years.