Alberta Premier Alison Redford dropped two ministers from her cabinet on Monday morning in an effort to reduce spending while her government works through the effects of the bitumen bubble.
“Recognizing the impact of falling resource revenues on our bottom line, my government will lead by example with a smaller, more focused cabinet,” said Redford. “These changes will allow us to continue to build Alberta by putting a priority on economic diversification and growth.”
Stephen Khan and Christine Cusinelli will be moving to the backbench and their portfolios will be given to Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk and Dr. Richard Starke.
Lakaszuk will assume additional responsibilities as Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education and Starke will become the Minister of Tourism.
“Mr. Lukaszuk’s and Dr. Starke’s leadership and experience will be invaluable in the tough decisions our government will make as we work through the effects of the bitumen bubble,” said Redford. “I also want to thank Stephen Khan and Christine Cusanelli for their advice and significant efforts in advancing our government’s growth agenda over the past year.”
Redford says the smaller cabinet is due to falling resource revenues and the impact it is having on the province’s bottom line.
