Premier Scott Moe unveiled a new cabinet this week. While there are a few surprises, it keeps in line with previous shuffles of his by playing it safe.
This cabinet will be the one that leads the Saskatchewan Party through to the next election. Many familiar faces remain in place, such as Donna Harpauer as Minister of Finance and Jeremy Harrison at Trade and Economic Development.
Changes to the cabinet are a mix of old and new. After serving a time out, Joe Hargrave is back in cabinet with one of the more prominent portfolios of SaskBuilds. Jeremy Cockrill, who has cut his teeth as Minister of Highways, has been elevated to Minister of Education. Education is currently the hot spot for issues regarding parental rights policy and the teacher bargaining file.
Christine Tell, who has been in cabinet since the Saskatchewan Party formed government in 2007, is the new Minister of the Environment, which is a smart move to have a senior minister assume that portfolio rather than treating it as an entry level ministry.
Paul Merriman, who has been at the helm of the Ministry of Health before and after COVID, is moved to a less stressful portfolio. Everett Hindley, who has been the Minister of Rural and Remote Health, now becomes the Minister of Health, which he is fully suited for.
Rather than an overhaul, this cabinet shuffle took the safe path. Leading up to the next provincial election, the government does not want to chance any unknowns that may divert their attention.
