Goertzen to justice, Ewasko to education in cabinet shuffle

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This article was published 21/01/2022 (1247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Heather Stefanson instigated her first cabinet shuffle this week, giving two local MLAs roles that align neatly with the university diplomas hanging in their respective offices.

Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach) was named minister of justice and attorney general. Goertzen earned a law degree from the University of Manitoba but never practiced law, instead jumping straight into electoral politics in 2003.

“I’m looking forward to applying my legal background in a different way than I’ve been applying it for the last number of years,” Goertzen said yesterday by phone.

Seven years have passed since he was Opposition justice critic.

“I’m going to have to reacclimatize myself to some of it,” he said.

Goertzen retained his role as government house leader in Tuesday’s shuffle, but not his title of deputy premier title, which was transferred to Cliff Cullen (Spruce Woods). Goertzen’s former file, legislative and public affairs, was broken up.

“A large of part of it will come with me as house leader,” Goertzen said.

As justice minister , Goertzen said he wants to focus on public safety, including the issue of rural crime. He said preventative work with law enforcement is key.

“If you can stop things from happening downstream, that is where your best dollars are spent.”

Goertzen will also oversee COVID-19 enforcement, a hot button topic in southern Manitoba.

“I think the government has taken it seriously from the beginning,” Goertzen said.

Goertzen also wants to modernize legal services like document witnessing, to make them more accessible and to reflect technological advances.

Ewasko elated

Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet), a former Sunrise School Division teacher and guidance counsellor, was promoted to minister of education and early childhood learning.

Ewasko joined cabinet last year as minister of advanced education, skills, and immigration, a file which now goes to Jon Reyes (Waverley).

Reached yesterday, Ewasko said he was “absolutely honoured and thrilled” by his new role.

“I’d be lying to you if I didn’t tell you that in 2011, when I was first elected, I had some hopes and dreams and aspirations of becoming the education minister.”

Ewasko takes the reins of the K-12 education system at a sensitive time. Amid Omicron, some are calling for a return to remote learning while others want schools to remain open. Ewasko said he approaches the debate from a student services perspective.

“Student success is paramount, and with that we just have to make sure that…those learning opportunities continue to happen, because as the professionals are saying, the longer that students are at home, or doing remote learning, the little more detrimental it is to their learning abilities as they move forward.”

“The health and safety of our students and staff and everybody involved is paramount,” Ewasko added.

With education reform still expected, Ewasko will likely be tasked with creating a softened successor to the controversial Bill 64.

Ewasko said he wants to begin meeting with education stakeholders as soon as possible to assess the education system.

“What’s working well? Don’t touch it. What’s working OK but needs a little bit of tweaking, and what’s not working?”

Third health minister added

Stefanson made several structural changes to cabinet that she said were intended to address COVID-19 and plot a course to economic recovery.

“It’s her opportunity to put her own stamp on the government as a new leader should do,” Goertzen said.

Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain) picked up the infrastructure file held by Ron Schuler (Springfield-Ritchot) until his expulsion from cabinet three weeks ago.

The health portfolio, split in two last year, is now tripartite. Audrey Gordon (Southdale) remains health minister, focusing on COVID-19 response and the surgical backlog. Scott Johnston (Assiniboia) joins cabinet as minister of seniors and long-term care. Sarah Guillemard (Fort Richmond) moves from climate and conservation to mental health and community wellness, a file that includes addictions treatment.

The Crown services portfolio was also divvied up. Goertzen is responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance, Cameron Friesen (Morden-Winkler) for Manitoba Hydro, Scott Fielding (Kirkfield Park) for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, and Jeff Wharton (Red River North) for Efficiency Manitoba.

Reg Helwer (Brandon West) was moved from central services to labour, a cabinet post not seen in Manitoba for years. Helwer will also be responsible for consumer protection, government services, the civil service, and the Public Utilities Board.

Eileen Clarke (Agassiz), who quit cabinet last year after Brian Pallister’s comments on colonialism, was returned to cabinet, picking up the municipal relations file she held in 2016. Goertzen said he was “sad to see her go” and “glad to see that she’s back.”

Friesen finds himself in his second stint as finance minister. Cullen was named minister of economic development, investment, and trade. Fielding was shuffled to natural resources and northern development. Wharton was placed in charge of the environment, climate, and parks.

Exiting cabinet are Ralph Eichler (Lakeside), whose agriculture file passes to Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli), and Cathy Cox (Kildonan-River East), formerly minister of sport, culture, and heritage, which passes to Andrew Smith (Lagimodiere).

Rochelle Squires (Riel) continues as minister of families and francophone affairs, and minister responsible for the status of women and accessibility.

Alan Lagimodiere will continue as minister of Indigenous reconciliation and northern relations, despite offending Indigenous leaders last year with comments on residential schools.

UPDATE – 10:40 a.m. – adds photos.