Rachel Notley sworn in as Alberta premier, reveals cabinet
Notley becomes province's 17th premier in front of crowd of thousands in Edmonton
CBC News Posted: May 24, 2015 11:53 AM MT, Last Updated: May 24, 2015 3:55 PM MT, Source
David Eggen and Rachel Notley react to the large crowd before Notley was sworn in as Alberta's 17th premier, by Chief Justice of Alberta Catherine Fraser in Edmonton, Alta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
Rachel Notley has been sworn in as the 17th premier of Alberta in a ceremony that took place in front of an enthusiastic crowd of thousands in Edmonton this afternoon.
"Today, we open a new chapter in the story of Alberta," Notley told the crowd.
The 51-year-old former labour lawyer, who led the NDP to a 54-seat majority earlier this month, was sworn in by Chief Justice Catherine Fraser on the steps of the Alberta legislature.
"This ceremony is an important milestone in life and history of our province," Fraser told the crowd.
The public was invited to take part in the event, which drew a crowd that packed the grounds of the legislature despite the hot temperatures. At times during the ceremony, Notley found herself drowned out by the crowd chanting her name. Afterwards, she said was "flabbergasted" by the size of the crowd.
"I'm humbled, truly humbled, by your trust and by the job at hand â and by our amazing potential."â
Notley was also sworn in as the province's International and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister. The other 11 members of the cabinet, some of which are handling multiple portfolios in the slimmed-down cabinet, were also sworn in:
- Joe Ceci - Finance/President of Treasury Board
- Sarah Hoffman - Health/Seniors.
- Kathleen Ganley - Justice/Aboriginal Affairs
- David Eggen - Education/Culture and Tourism
- Margaret Mccuaig-Boyd - Energy
- Shannon Phillips - Environment and Parks/Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
- Brian Mason - Infrastructure/Transportation
- Deron Bilous - Municipal Affairs, Service Alberta
- Lori Sigurdson - Innovation and Advanced Education/Jobs, Skills, Training & Labour
- Rachel Notley -- Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs
- Oneil Carlier - Agriculture/Forestry
- Irfan Sabir - Human Services
The new cabinet is heavily weighted towards Edmonton, where the NDP saw their strongest support during the election. Six ministers, including Notley, represent ridings in the city, compared to three from Calgary and another three from the rest of the province.
Notley, Mason, Eggen and Bilous â the party's only incumbent MLAs â were all assigned high-profile portfolios. Mason, a ten-year veteran of the legislature and the party's former leader, will also serve as Government House Leader.
The newly-minted premier highlighted the fact that the new cabinet contained an equal number of women and men; she said the new government's make-up was a better reflection of the people of Alberta.
"Young and old, gay and straight, and more women than ever before," Notley said.
"My friends, it is springtime in Alberta and a fresh wind is blowing."