Government & Policy
Tories Win Another Majority; Premier Names New Cabinet;
Creates Separate Ministry of Advanced Education
Returned to office on November 22nd with a reduced majority of seats in the Legislature, Premier Ralph Klein has shuffled his Cabinet and replaced his Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy. As part of a larger restructuring of Cabinet responsibilities, Alberta Learning has been split into two portfolios – Education (for K-12) and Advanced Education (for post-secondary).
Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, David Hancock, Q.C., who represents an Edmonton constituency, has been named Minister of Advanced Education; while another Edmonton MLA, Gene Zwozdesky, former Minister of Community Development, takes over the Education portfolio. Former Minister of Learning, Lyle Oberg, moves to a new department combining Infrastructure and Transportation.
According to the official government news release, the creation of a separate Advanced Education ministry “recognizes post-secondary as a priority” and reflects “the increased emphasis on post-secondary education in the government’s 20-year strategic plan.” Contrary to widespread rumours circulating before the election, Advanced Education has not been combined with Innovation & Science, to create a so-called super-ministry. However, the appointment of David Hancock, an experienced and highly-regarded minister, who wields some clout in Cabinet and in the Tory caucus, has been welcomed by stakeholders as a sign that the government is beginning to take PSE seriously. Mr. Hancock will also serve as Government House Leader and as a member of the powerful Agenda and Priorities Committee, as well as Vice-Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment.
The internal reorganization of the former Adult Learning Division has not yet been completed, but Dr. William (Bill) Byrne, formerly Deputy Minister at Community Development, has been named as Deputy Minister of the stand-alone ministry of Advanced Education. Dr. Byrne, an archaeologist by training, is a career civil servant with long experience and an excellent reputation. (Maria David-Evans, former D-M at Alberta Learning moves on to Children’s Services.) Further announcements concerning revised bureaucratic responsibilities and reporting channels within Advanced Education are expected in the next few weeks.
Government news releases announcing Cabinet appointments and assignment of deputy ministers are available online at www.gov.ab.ca/. Unofficial election results are at http://results.electionsalberta.ab.ca/Results.htm.