As of right now, fully half of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party Caucus is in cabinet.
A cabinet with 24 members (25 if you count the premier) for a Canadian provincial government is arguably excessive, wasteful and inefficient – at exactly 50 per cent of the government caucus in the Legislature, less Ms. Smith, you could say it’s all that by any measure!
It’s certainly a strange flex for a party that since 2019 never stopped complaining about how there are too many managers at Alberta Health Services – which according to the respected Canadian Institute for Health Information in 2019 spent only 3.3 per cent of its budget on administration, the lowest in Canada.
By the time the dust settles and Ms. Smith names her Parliamentary secretaries, associate ministers, and the like, damn near all of her MLAs will either be part of the cabinet – with a 50-per-cent pay increase from the base MLA salary of $120,936 per annum to $181,404 – or qualify for other posts with their own perks and allowances.
Don’t forget the chief government whip (Shane Getson, Lac Ste.Anne-Parkland) and House leader (Joseph Schow, Cardston Siksika), named at the same time as cabinet and each with a generous “special allowance” to pad their pay.
When the last press released has been published, the only UCP MLA still drawing a base salary may be Jennifer Johnson of Lacombe-Ponoka – who will sit as an independent owing to the inopportune timing of the publication of her disgusting poop-cookie hate recipe, but whom everyone will understand is a UCP MLA in everything but name.
If you’re planning to write a formal letter to these guys, you’ll have to address most of them as “the honourable” – so there’s your daily chuckle at the expense of Alberta!
Readers will recall that when Rachel Notley became premier in 2015, she named 11 additional MLAs to her first cabinet, which was equally balanced between men and women.
We might as well be cynical about Ms. Smith’s new cabinet because in this case cynicism is justified.
There is lots of speculation about what the premier was up to and the conventional wisdom – which is almost certainly right – is that she’s desperately trying to find a way to stitch her fractious and disunited caucus so it doesn’t rip apart at the seams.
An added bonus, as former NDP leader Brian Mason pointed out in a tweet, is that “Cabinet members are subject to the cabinet solidarity rule and must support government decisions (and the premier).”
So the more the merrier!
Ms. Smith presumably needed some anti-abortion activists holding health care adjacent portfolios to keep her erstwhile social conservative friends at Take Back Alberta at bay. After all, TBA has threatened to roll the tumbrels for her if she doesn’t do their bidding, and she does owe them her job in the UCP leadership election after they sent Jason Kenney packing.
Hence cabinet roles for Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, who has already proved to be a disaster in Education. Both are strong on the anti-abortion file.
Cleverly, while both are presumably acceptable to TBA, they also hail from Jason Kenney’s cabinet, and hence are not seen as actual TBA cadres.
Postmedia pundits have argued this means Ms. Smith wants to toe a more moderate line, if she dares. This may be true when it comes to reproductive rights, but probably not much else.
Meanwhile, the UCP lost enough Progressive Conservative votes to the NDP on May 29 for even Ms. Smith to understand she now needs to do something to keep those old Tories sweet – so she found a place in cabinet for Rick Wilson and Ric McIver too. (It’s hard not to imagine TBA supremo David Parker on the phone shouting, that’s enough Rics, dammit!)
And since the UCP lost the only seat it had in Edmonton and had a bad election night in Calgary too, it turns out that getting elected for the UCP in Cowtown or in a riding adjacent to the outskirts of Edmonton is not a bad thing for MLAs with limited talent and ministerial ambitions.
Women are a problem for Ms. Smith, of course, because UCP supporters elect so few of them. With four in cabinet, she had picked 50 per cent of the women MLAs available. More will be named to other posts soon, no doubt.
Ditto lawyers, a shortage of which left the premier with the problem of whom to name as justice minister. She solved that conundrum by appointing Mickey Amery to the post.
Mr. Amery, the MLA for Calgary-Cross, is an interesting choice. In 2021, he was excoriated by the usual suspects on the far and not-so-far right for accusing Israel of “violence against innocent and unarmed Palestinian worshippers and civilians” in the Occupied Territories.
For his courageous social media comment, he earned a sharp rebuke from then-premier Kenney.
Presumably, Brian Jean didn’t want the post, and given his rebellious history and secure base in Fort McMurray, the premier needed to keep him happy too, so she named him Energy Minister. The only other lawyer, pandemic vacationer Jason Stephan, was apparently judged too much of a wingnut even for Ms. Smith’s taste.
Apparently there must also always be a Nixon in a UCP cabinet, so, without Jeremy (Calgary-Klein), who is now searching for new post-election opportunities, the return of brother Jason (Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre), the former finance minister and vociferous Smith critic, was required.
Such is the delicate balancing required to ensure the United Conservative Party lives up to its name long enough for Ms. Smith to implement her agenda.
Jason Kenney’s former chief of staff returns as deputy minister
Yesterday, the government published a list of its most senior civil servants, the people who, arguably, really run the government.
It’s interesting to note that Jason Kenney’s former chief of staff, Larry Kaumeyer, has returned as Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals.
After finding himself on the guest list of Mr. Kenney’s notorious mid-pandemic Sky Palace patio party two years ago, Mr. Kaumeyer served as spell as CEO of Ducks Unlimited.
There’s probably more gold to be mined in the list, but not right now.
Tyler Shandro Law Society hearing resumes
Finally, yesterday also saw the resumption of former UCP minister Tyler Shandro’s hearing before the Law Society of Alberta in response to complaints he violated the profession’s code of conduct while in office. Mr. Shandro, who served variously as minister of health, labour and justice in UCP cabinets, was defeated in his Calgary-Varsity riding on May 29.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story referred to Joseph Schow as Jason Schow. Sorry about that Jas … Joseph. Readers, I am sure, will forgive me as thinking of the male members of the UCP Caucus as The Jasons. All Joking aside, that was my error and I do apologize to Mr. Schow. DJC
I agree the cabinet seems larger than need be. I’m not sure why, but there is the old saying about keeping your enemies closer and Smith sure did seem not to have a lot of friends in the UCP caucus initially. No doubt winning the election, albeit a bit narrow for comfort, has quieted some for now and perhaps keeping them busy with other things will help Smith for a while too.
It is a bit surprising to see Kenney stalwarts Nixon and McIver back, but experienced choices, especially from Calgary were limited. In any event, I don’t think the cabinet will be Smith’s biggest problem, but I do wonder about her choice for Health Minister in particular.
As usual, Smith’s biggest problem will probably be Smith herself She has the tendency to say things without thinking enough and has a long history of questionable judgement. Perhaps related to this, she tends to hog the spotlight, so her cabinet will probably get less attention than they would otherwise. So unless they mess up big time, it may not be noticed.
Lastly, I would agree Jean may be considered a bit of a flight risk based on his history. Also, for all his experience he hasn’t been in cabinet before I believe. No doubt there will be some fall out, whether it be Jean or someone else, if things get rocky. After all Kenney lost ministers too. So it was probably wise to put someone probably viewed as more steadfast in Justice.
Lastly, I do think that while a large cabinet may be seen as a way to keep more people in line, it could also present a chance for more disruption if things go sour. More wheel might mean more stability, but not if too many become loose wheels.
At least they all combed their hair for the class photo.
Your “roll the tumbrels” has me thinking of the Monty Python “Holy Grail” skit with Smith on Parker’s shoulder insisting she’s “not dead yet”.
In this scenario, who wields the lethal club?
Surely you aren’t suggesting Smith
…Smith’s UCP government is “a self-perpetuating autocracy” that is “hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society”?
Actually… this does make sense.
I we have to do now is wait to “see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I’m being repressed!”
At least half of appointed UCP Deputy Ministers are women. Can’t decide if this a good or bad image for UCP Premier Danielle.
Pathetic. Many of the MLAs don’t have enough real-life skills and education to even be considered for a $120k-per-job in the real world. And they think they are “representing” average Albertans. What a joke.
Minister for “Mental Health and Addiction.”
Is that a cabinet post or a paradoxical medical condition?
Another golden report about Albertastan, circa 2023. I wish I had the energy to write more, but that’s your job. Thank you, again.
It’s no secret that Reformers look after their friends and don’t care what it costs taxpayers while doing it. They never have an intelligent solution to any problem it’s always about blaming it on someone else. Smith and Poilievre are perfect examples, you can’t do it any better than these two.
Alan K. Spiller: You are right. When people bring this up in places, like newspaper blogs, they get called nasty names.
Six MLAs.
On election night, once the numbers appeared to be setting, I saw that all it would take is 6 UCP MLAs who could form a bloc willing to vote against the government if it ventured too far into nut-bar territory. I then looked for 6 such people in the UCP caucus. It felt a bit like blind speculation since I knew very little about the individual MLAs, but I did come up with 4 possibilities:
1. Rajan Sawhaney – Ms. Sawhney was a reluctant candidate to begin with, made her feelings about Danielle Smith known during the leadership race, and since she won her riding with only 149 votes, she is somewhat impervious to party discipline, since she can threaten to resign her seat, knowing it will likely go NDP in a byelection if the government is unpopular.
2. Ric McIver – Hardly a moderate, but at the same time has enough experience that he should be able to see when the government is taking a turn into crazy town. As well, he has been around long enough that he probably has already been thinking about retiring anyway, which makes it easier to take a stand on principle.
3 . Rebecca Schultz – Also took a stand against Danielle Smith in the leadership race. As well, Ms. Schultz was endorsed by enough other politicians that I expect she would also have decent ‘crazy-radar’ skills.
4. Tanya Fir – Definitely venturing into guess territory here, but she did not appear to be as crazy as some of Jason Kenney’s other MLAs in 2019-2023.
If I came up with them, it stands to reason that UCP strategists also identified them as possible weak points. As DJC has pointed out, putting them in cabinet is an ideal way of motivating the above to toe the party line.
It also creates an interesting cabinet meeting scenario, where TBA pressures Danielle Smith to implement some nut-bar policy, and the majority of Ms. Smith’s cabinet refuses to go along with it.
Thanks for another great column, David.
You’re suggesting that there might come a time that a Minister in Daniellezebub’s Cabinet might resign on a matter of moral principle. Sadly, this sort of behaviour is far too rare in Canada these days, although we do have a recent case from Fredericton to point to.
New Brunswick Minister of Social Development Dorothy Shephard resigned from Premier Blaine Higgs’ Progressive Conservative Cabinet this past week over his attempts to introduce trans-hostile regulations into that province’s school system. This after she — along with five other PC MLAs — voted with the Opposition parties on a motion condemning the government’s new regulations — a motion that passed. She hand-wrote a two-sentence letter of resignation, handed it to Higgs, picked up the nameplate on her desk, and walked out of the House. In a scrum with reporters, she stated, “I am a Progressive Conservative”, emphasizing the word “Progressive”.
Sadly, though, I would be astonished if any Minister in the UCP Cabinet were ever to take any comparable action.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/dorothy-shephard-resigns-nb-1.6878184
With this large cabinet, watch for signs of discontent amongst backbenchers, but not for the obvious reasons. Backbenchers have to take seats on each of the legislative committees, of which there are many and constitute a significant amount of work to run interference for the government through scripted talking points. Essentially they have to defend their cabinet ministers but have had no say in those cabinet decisions. With the small pool of backbenchers, they will have an extraordinary amount of committee work to do plus a lot of house duty (being present in the legislature to vote), and that will cause plenty of disgruntlement. In addition, the caucus funding formula from the LAO excludes ministers, so the caucus will have very little funding on which to operate (unless the UCP changed the formula which is certainly possible). Keep an eye out for fireworks!
Dani does dishes at her part time job while some of us get sued by lunatics tm /Jason Kenney, for celebrating who we are? Yah. That seems right! I mean Trump loves, doesn’t he? https://youtu.be/CS9OO0S5w2k
POGO, I used to love that song, now it makes me cringe because I see him ‘dancing’….groan !!!
On a lighter note, compliments of Charlie Angus: Hill Times or on his Twitter—– pure gold, imo
pictured in his “Lifestyles of the rich and famous, Ottawa edition video. “Personally, I don’t have a problem with an official residence for the leader of the opposition, but I do have a problem with Pierre Poilievre telling senior citizens that they don’t deserve to have access to free public dental care “.
With some spot on follow ups, and as a senior on a fixed income, Hallelujah! someone finally calling PP out for gas lighting on issues of us ‘common people’ while being on an expenses paid job , paid for by us…..while he collects rent from his investment houses.
Since him and Dani seem to be following the same playbook, I hope someone is keeping tabs of expenses, or are these going to be’ on a need to know basis’….as in we do you don’t!
Photo: size of the lie ??
Interesting about Mickey Amery, especially considering Garnett Genius’s forays in the HoC about tyranny in Afghanistan etc. I was quite surprised how adamant (?) he was on the subject….definitely not what I expected….thoughts??
side bar: speaking of cabinet positions, Erin o’toole gave his farewell address yesterday, which kudos to him was actually very well articulated, compared to PP’S ‘shpiels’, and he managed to take an oh so supple swipe at ‘the politicians who are more interested in social media likes ,than doing their jobs’, aka representing their constituents….(burn) and he got a better sendoff from Mike Holland than from his “boss ” who had a short, not sweet speech that (imho) got sidetracked when he started talking about Erin’s position in Veterans affairs, then must have realized that, oh right, where SH cut all the funding….(oops, can’t go there)….I have a feeling he is more than alittle glad to see him gone. Too progressive conservative me thinks…hmm
By the way, “Welcome back to the nut house”, hope you were able to somewhat recharge the batteries– change is as good as a rest? and 3 days to get yourself re-adjusted to the time change, though coming home is always easier, get home almost at the hour you left.
Ah yes, the Saskatchewan Conservative Party experiment, put every government MLA into Cabinet, bigger pay leads to bigger corruption. So what will be the next name for the UCP?
What is the next branding? I would suggest the: “Devine Conservatives” rotten to the core! Worms? We have a free diet of worms!
POGO: There was nothing free about the Diet of Worms. Just ask Martin Luther. DJC
It’s all about power and control for the UCP, and that’s the only reason why they would have such a large provincial cabinet, unlike any other previous provincial government in Alberta. This is also why the UCP wants to replace the R.C.M.P with a provincial police force. People were deceived by these pretend conservatives and Reformers, and I don’t think it will sink in with them just yet, as to how bad the UCP really are. There are people who defend the UCP in newspaper comment sections, and they call others names, like little children do. One person who wasn’t fooled by the lies of the UCP was called a communist. These people are all mouth and no brains. When they have to pay increased municipal property taxes because of what the UCP is making us pay for, they will just continue to make excuses for it, and let the UCP get off the hook. Where’s the sense in that?
Being called a communist is the new black. Cool as f.
What a conundrum? So many mouths to feed, so many egos to soothe, so many knives at her back, Danielle Smith has really got herself into quite a pickle. At some point, she’s going to run out of credible positions for her abundance of cabinet members/hangers-on/rent-seekers. I mean demanding smaller government is one thing, but expanding it for the sake of saving your own neck is another.
The one instance where it got really out of hand was in the latter days of the Mulroney government, where the abundance of various weird ministries and Ministers w/o Portfolio became the norm. Hey, when people are going to ask “What does that guy do?” you may have trouble answering.
Hey Just Me, that’s why every Cabinet Minister will get a Cabinet Secretary, more largesse, and little extra work for the extra dollars. UC (xtra) Pay?
“Fun fact” as posted by Dani or her social media gurus (?) on Sunday .
So when is a fact, not a fact?
She posted that she was helping out at her restaurant- no name mentioned. But not to worry folks, the Edmonton sun, Calgary herald & National post, were more than happy to oblige, giving a glowing portrayal of the “of the people Premier ” , helping out at her High River diner. Oddly enough ,they did not use the picture that she posted, which was being called out on social media for OHS violations, and instead used an old picture, while calling out people for not appreciating what she was doing. And whomever posted the original, close inspection, that is not a current picture of her either….side by side. Understandable , some pics are more flattering than others….but hey, you be you.
The plot thickened this morning, with the National post saying that the restaurant is now up for sale….how very curious…..hmm???