Alberta Premier Smith shuffles cabinet, splits health portfolio

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Friday afternoon, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shuffling her cabinet – and splitting up the health ministry.

By The Canadian Press

Posted May 16, 2025 11:08 am.

Last Updated May 16, 2025 2:03 pm.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced an overhaul of several government ministries, creating two new health services portfolios and replacing her Indigenous relations minister.

Former health minister Adriana LaGrange has been sworn in as minister of primary and preventative health services, while former jobs minister Matt Jones is in charge of hospital and surgical health services.

Former Indigenous relations minister Rick Wilson is minister of mental health and addiction.

He replaces Dan Williams, who moves to municipal affairs.

Rajan Sawhney will now head Indigenous relations.

A bill that passed debate in the final hours of the legislature sitting lowers the bar for citizens to initiate a referendum question, including whether Alberta should secede from Canada.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery also offered an amendment to address concerns from First Nations over the bill, declaring no referendum would interfere with treaty rights.

Those changes didn’t satisfy some First Nations chiefs in the province, who say separating from Canada threatens their treaty relationship with the Crown.

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