Premier Rachel Notley launches mini-shuffle of cabinet

Premier Rachel Notley shuffled her cabinet Monday, slightly reducing the number of ministers while appointing backbencher and Calgary-Currie MLA Brian Malkinson as her new minister of Service Alberta to replaceStephanie McLean.

Children's Services Minister Danielle Larivee, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake,took on McLean's former role as minister for the status of women, in addition to her other responsibilities.

McLean, MLA for Calgary-Varsity,announced in May she won't run for re-election in 2019.

Notleyalso dropped Brandy Payne from cabinet Monday. Payne, the MLA for Calgary-Acadia, had been associate health minister. In March, she said she doesn't plan to seek re-election in 2019.

Notleydownplayed the optics of dropping two women from her inner circle and adding one man. Malkinsonis a CalgaryMLA and she said regional representation is another important consideration in cabinet appointments.

"We had more women in cabinet.We're now down by one woman," Notley said.

"I feel quite strongly that our record as it stands both in terms of our cabinet make-up as well as our record standing up for women in Alberta and across this province is a record that frankly is unmatched by any other government in Canada."

• Calgary NDP MLA Stephanie McLean won't run for re-election
• Calgary MLA Brandy Payne says she won't seek re-election

Malkinson, a former diesel engine technician, was first elected in 2015. Notleypraised him for his work ethic.

"I don't know that there is an MLA anywhere in Calgary who has been on more doorsteps than Brian Malkinson, not only in his riding but in the ridings of other MLAs," she said.

"If you want someone who can channel the voice of regular folks in Calgary, I think people will be very pleased with what Brian is able to bring to the table."

The swearing-in ceremony took place at Government House in Edmonton.

Notley last shuffled her cabinet in October 2017, appointingCalgary-North West MLASandra Jansen as the minister of Infrastructure.

• Sandra Jansen appointed Alberta's new infrastructure minister

Infrastructure had been held by Brian Mason, who was also Transportation minister. Mason, MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, remainstransportation minister and continuesin his role as government house leader.

Also in the October 2017 shuffle, Fort Saskatchewan-VegrevilleMLA Jessica Littlewood and Sherwood Park MLA Annie McKitrickwere appointed parliamentary secretaries for economic development and trade, and education, respectively.

• Premier Rachel Notley splits human services department, appoints new cabinet member

In January 2017, Notleysplit the human services department into two ministries.

Larivee became the Children's Services minister. FormerHuman Services minister IrfanSabir, the MLA for Calgary-McCall,took on Community and Social Services.

At that time, Shaye Anderson, the MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, replaced Larivee as municipal affairs minister.