Alberta Cabinet shuffle

[SebC]

No thread for this? Have I gone blind?

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/12...n_4401323.html

Alberta Premier Alison Redford shuffled more than half the ministers in her cabinet Friday, promoting rising stars Manmeet Bhullar and Robin Campbell while demoting Doug Griffiths and deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk.

Most notable to me is that Griffiths is out from Municipal Affairs (replaced by Ken Hughes) and also Ric McIver has gone from Transportation to Infrastructure (replaced by Drysdale). Are these concessions to Calgary (given that Griffiths got into a spat with Nenshi and McIver failed to deliver the LRT that he campaigned on when he was running for mayor)? Or just a business as usual? Does removing these guys advance these goals, or does having to get new ministers up to speed set us back and negate any potential benefit?

(I'd love to hear Bunk's thoughts on this in particular.)

[Dion]

Griffiths got into a spat with High River homeowners at a town hall meeting after the flood. His sarcasm towards homeowners didn't do the province any favours here.

[CaptainCrunch]

reshuffling the deck chairs on the HMS Conservative Party.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Dion

Griffiths got into a spat with High River homeowners at a town hall meeting after the flood. His sarcasm towards homeowners didn't do the province any favours here.

And that spat was just one of a few. He had one before with the AUMA (I think?) And has made a number of ill-advised comments through the last few years. I'm surprised it took as long as it did for him to be demoted.

[Dan02]

dunno, but as soon as redford is gone the better, think the writing is on the wall for her fortunately.

[Clarkey]

I can't tell if that's a promotion or demotion for Ric McIvor? Is Infrastructure a better portfolio than Transportation? I thought transportation has seen some significant progress in the last couple years (ring road deal, Highway 63 etc.).

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

I can't tell if that's a promotion or demotion for Ric McIvor? Is Infrastructure a better portfolio than Transportation? I thought transportation has seen some significant progress in the last couple years (ring road deal, Highway 63 etc.).

I was wondering the same thing. Does giving him infrastructure put him in the spotlight with regards to flood mitigation projects? If so I could see this being viewed as a step up for him.

[WilsonFourTwo]

I would agree. Like them or not, the Wildrose is actively trying to change their image and capitalize on every Conservative misstep. They've done a decent job of it thus far and are getting the attention they want.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/al...371/story.html

The Conservatives on the other hand keep (to quote the scholar, CaptainCrunch) reshuffling the deck chairs on the MHS Conservative Party.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Dion

Griffiths got into a spat with High River homeowners at a town hall meeting after the flood. His sarcasm towards homeowners didn't do the province any favours here.

Griffiths is a boob. The very first thing he said when the flood hit and DRP was discussed was to thinly vail a threat to flood victims not to think they were going to cash in on this. Like we all were high fiving each other that our homes were damaged so we could get a new couch on the gov't.

He then followed that up with saying the High River flood victims were lashing out because they were scared people.

His condisending attitude towards probably the toughest and most self reliant group of Albertans really showed his lack of leadership. I am not surprised he got shoved to the back, he deserves it.

[Tyler]

Griffiths gone. Nenshi wins.

Ken Hughes is going to AWESOME for us getting our City charter. Booya!

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

I would agree. Like them or not, the Wildrose is actively trying to change their image and capitalize on every Conservative misstep. They've done a decent job of it thus far and are getting the attention they want.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/al...371/story.html

The Conservatives on the other hand keep (to quote the scholar, CaptainCrunch) reshuffling the deck chairs on the MHS Conservative Party.

It would be a cold day in hell before Albertans make Danielle Smith our Premier. Yes even colder than today with a -44 windchill.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Alberta is a land of political dynasties....UFA, SoCred, PC's....we've only had three political parties in power in our modern era.

The PC's time will come to an end...but I don't think its imminent.

I don't get the vitriol for Redford...why do people have a problem with her leadership exactly?

[burn_this_city]

Redford has been miles better than Stelmach.

[Bunk]

McIver to Infrastructure should not be seen as a demotion. He achieved what he was tasked to do in Transportation, which was a SWRR deal. He did that, so off to handle another challenging portfolio coming up (which includes building schools and hospitals) and I assume flood mitigation projects.

Will look forward to see Hughes in Municipal Affairs. Important time ahead in that portfolio.

[Yeah_Baby]

Lukazak in a labour portfolio is for sing with the bills currently being debated re: labour. Looks like they're gearing up for a fight.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Alberta is a land of political dynasties....UFA, SoCred, PC's....we've only had three political parties in power in our modern era.

The PC's time will come to an end...but I don't think its imminent.

I don't get the vitriol for Redford...why do people have a problem with her leadership exactly?

It his her spending our money to buy her leadership, and then flip flopping on major election promises. It is also her love for a huge Premier's office staff that seems to have more control than most of her caucus. With this cabinet announcement and the huge number of "associate" ministers as well, Yet again we see Redford talks about fiscal conservatism but her actions are the opposite.

My personal favorite are her "audibles" she calls on issues without telling her caucus. Watch press conferences when Redford makes an announcement. Half the time it seems her Ministers had no idea based on their body language. Fred Horne squirms most it seems.

[MoneyGuy]

I think the mishandling of Bill 28 did Griffiths in. I've talked with him and like him but that was a screwup. He PO'd Alberta municipalities and they have big lobbying power.