Saskatchewan announces new Minister of Environment following spring cabinet shuffle

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe starts June off with changes to the provincial cabinet, including a new Environment Minister, Dana Skoropad.

Skoropad was elected as the MLA for Arm River in the 2020 and lives on his family farm near Chamberlain, SK. He brings to the role 20 years of experience in the education sector as a teacher, along with a background in insurance, real estate and agriculture.

Skoropad is replacing Warren Kaeding, who held the role of Environment Minister since 2020. He also became the Minister of Government Relations and Minister of First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs in 2018, and in 2019 he was appointed Minister responsible for Rural and Remote Health as well as Minister responsible for Seniors. Kaeding shares Skoropad’s passion for agriculture as he was farmer in near Churchbridge, Sask., and the owner/operator of Wagon Wheel Seed Corporation.

David Marit remains Minister of Agriculture and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.

Five MLAs remain in cabinet with new cabinet portfolios:

• Jim Reiter becomes Minister of Energy and Resources.
• Bronwyn Eyre becomes Saskatchewan’s first-ever female Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
• Gordon Wyant becomes Minister of Advanced Education.
• Gene Makowsky becomes Minister of Social Services.
• Lori Carr becomes Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, and
• Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Additionally, a new Sustainable Growth Secretariat will be established in Executive Council within the Premier’s oversight under his existing responsibility for Intergovernmental Affairs.

Two MLAs are entering cabinet:

• Jeremy Cockrill becomes Minister of Highways, with responsibility for the Water Security Agency.
• Dana Skoropad becomes Minister of Environment.
• In addition, Tim McLeod is appointed as the Provincial Secretary.

10 other MLAs retain their current cabinet portfolios:

• Donna Harpauer remains Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance.
• Don Morgan remains Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and becomes Minister responsible for all major crown corporations, including SaskEnergy, SGI, SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskGaming and SaskWater.  Morgan remains Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board.
• Dustin Duncan remains Minister of Education.
• Christine Tell remains Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.
• Jeremy Harrison remains Minister of Trade and Export Development and Minister of Immigration and Career Training, Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan and Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan.
• Paul Merriman remains Minister of Health.
• Don McMorris remains Minister of Government Relations, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission.
• Laura Ross remains Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.
• Everett Hindley remains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health.

Premier announces Legislative Secretary Appointments and Government House Leadership:

House Leadership:

• Jeremy Harrison will continue to serve as Government House Leader.
• Lori Carr will serve as Deputy Government House Leader.
• Greg Ottenbreit will continue to serve as Government Whip.
• Alana Ross will serve as Government Deputy Whip.

Legislative Secretaries:

• MLA Lyle Stewart continues to serve as Legislative Secretary to the Premier Responsible for Provincial Autonomy.
• MLA David Buckingham continues to serve as Legislative Secretary to the Minister Responsible for SaskTel and SGI.
• MLA Doug Steele continues to serve as Legislative Secretary to the Minister Responsible for SaskPower and SaskEnergy.
• MLA Todd Goudy will serve as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education.
• MLA Ken Francis will serve as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Export Development.
• MLA Terry Dennis will serve as Legislative Secretary Responsible for Saskatchewan – Ukraine Relations.
• MLA Alana Ross will serve as Legislative Secretary Responsible for forestry to the Minister of Energy and Resources.
• MLA Daryl Harrison will serve as Legislative Secretary Responsible for value-added agriculture and livestock engagement to the Minister of Agriculture.
• MLA Jim Lemaigre will serve as Legislative Secretary Responsible for Mental Health and Addictions to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health.
• MLA Terry Jenson will serve as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Social Services.
• MLA Marvin Friesen will serve as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

“Never before has Saskatchewan had such an opportunity at a global level to grow our exports, our industries and our economy,” says Moe.  “Saskatchewan has among the most sustainable resources in the world, and this growth results in better services, programs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people.”