Western Standard - New Alberta cabinet ministers to be sworn in

00:00:00.000 You

00:00:30.000 Thank you.

00:01:00.000 Thank you.

00:01:30.000 Amen.

00:02:00.000 Amen.

00:02:30.000 Let you, my soul, let me

00:02:35.980 The fire in me, your gravity

00:02:42.220 Be sent in glory

00:02:46.700 Let me, my hand

00:02:54.060 Only else to free

00:02:59.000 Please be seated.

00:03:29.000 Your Honour, Premier, Ministers, Ministers designated, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

00:03:40.520 My name is Jeannie Smith and I am the Chief of Protocol for the province of Alberta.

00:03:45.840 It is my great pleasure to welcome you to McDougal Centre for the swearing-in of the new Cabinet.

00:03:51.200 Her Honour, the Honourable Selma Lakani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, will now bring remarks.

00:03:57.440 Your Honor.

00:04:07.000 Thank you so much, Jeannie.

00:04:09.720 As His Majesty the King's representative in Alberta and as a settler,

00:04:14.840 I acknowledge all First Peoples who have called this place home for thousands of years

00:04:21.200 and who welcomed us here to make our own lives.

00:04:24.980 May we always dwell together on these lands with respect and understanding and a sincere commitment to walking the journey of reconciliation, and now I say reconcili-action.

00:04:40.460 And I also want to acknowledge the presence of my aide-de-camp for today, Captain B.J. Burson.

00:04:47.320 BJ is a volunteer with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and I'd like to

00:04:53.260 applaud his presence and the presence of every person in this room who

00:04:57.400 volunteers their time because as we all know volunteers are the backbone of our

00:05:03.700 society of our communities and they make things happen so big round of applause

00:05:08.860 to all the volunteers in this room.

00:05:15.600 So today, I want to say thank you to all the outgoing ministers,

00:05:20.320 and I congratulate all of you who will be taking on new roles in Cabinet,

00:05:26.080 and I thank you for the valued service you have contributed to this province already.

00:05:33.240 As you well know, the decisions you make in your new roles will impact the opportunities

00:05:42.240 and the quality of life available to your fellow Albertans.

00:05:50.320 And you know, too, this is no small matter.

00:05:54.180 My own life experience has taught me that Alberta is a land of opportunity.

00:06:01.100 We are fortunate to have at our disposal an enormous supply of natural resources, as well as a population filled with creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, and mavericks whose talents continue to transform this province and guide us into the future.

00:06:25.660 Challenges will undoubtedly confront us along the way, but our potential, both individually and collectively, is practically limitless.

00:06:41.660 We must not lose sight of our goal, the desire to improve the lives of our fellow Albertans.

00:06:50.900 For this reason, it is all the more important that our elected officials orient themselves around the basic principles of democracy, the rule of law, and good government that define our Canadian way of life.

00:07:13.460 And I must say, we heard that beautiful rendition of O Canada.

00:07:18.080 To me, when we say, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

00:07:23.440 What we are standing on guard for are our Canadian values.

00:07:31.200 So, I know that your duties might sometimes be overwhelming,

00:07:37.380 but I know that you will perform them to the absolute best of your ability.

00:07:42.760 Luckily, you all have the support of your family and loved ones who are here with you today.

00:07:52.760 To the family members and the loved ones, I would like to say that the encouragement you have provided has been key to your loved ones' success,

00:08:04.760 and your support will continue to be invaluable

00:08:09.620 as they take on their new responsibilities.

00:08:13.740 And I express my sincere gratitude to all of you.

00:08:19.260 As His Majesty the King's Representative in Alberta,

00:08:22.320 I extend my best wishes to our ministers.

00:08:27.440 May you enjoy nothing but success in your new roles.

00:08:32.400 Thank you.

00:08:34.760 I have a letter from the Premier recommending the members of Executive Council.

00:08:58.240 I accept her recommendations.

00:09:01.240 Premier, please now introduce the members

00:09:03.240 of the executive council.

00:09:05.240 I accept her recommendations.

00:09:07.240 Premier, please now introduce the members

00:09:09.260 of the executive council.

00:09:15.220 Thank you, Your Honour.

00:09:17.260 I would now ask the members swearing the

00:09:20.260 oath of executive office to please step

00:09:22.260 forward.

00:09:23.260 That is the Honourable Justin Tyler Wright

00:09:25.260 and the Honourable Tara Janitha Mary

00:09:27.240 I will now administer the Oath of Executive Council to the new members.

00:09:42.300 Members please repeat, so help me God or I affirm at the close of the oath.

00:09:51.280 of members of the Executive Council, you, Justin Wright and Tara Sawyer, do solemnly promise

00:10:00.960 and swear that you will serve His Majesty truly and faithfully in the place of His Council

00:10:10.040 in this His Majesty's Province of Alberta.

00:10:15.340 You will keep close and secret all such matters as shall be treated, debated, and resolved

00:10:24.300 on in Executive Council without publishing or disclosing the same or any part thereof

00:10:34.260 by word, writing, or any otherwise to any person out of the same Council, but to such

00:10:44.380 only as be of the council and yet if any matter so propounded treated and debated in any such

00:10:56.860 executive council shall touch any particular person sworn of the same council upon any such

00:11:07.020 matter as shall in any wise concern their loyalty and fidelity to the king's majesty you will in

00:11:18.540 no wise open the same to them but keep it secret as you would from any person until the king's

00:11:29.420 majesty's pleasure be known in that behalf. You will in all things to be

00:11:38.640 moved, treated, and debated in any such executive council faithfully, honestly,

00:11:48.800 and truly declare your mind and opinion to the honor and benefit of the king's

00:11:56.180 majesty and the good of his subjects without partiality or exception of

00:12:04.760 persons in no wise forbearing so to do from any manner of respect favor love

00:12:14.900 me displeasure or dread of any person or persons whatsoever in general you will

00:12:25.700 be vigilant, diligent, and circumspect in all your doings, touching the King's Majesty's

00:12:34.320 affairs. All which matters and things you will faithfully observe and keep as a good

00:12:44.160 counselor ought to do to the utmost of your power, will, and discretion. So help you God

00:12:54.820 or I so offer you.

00:12:56.540 So help me God.

00:13:04.380 Members will now subscribe to the oath

00:13:07.160 by signing the Executive Council World Book.

00:13:24.820 Thank you.

00:13:54.820 Your Honour, I will now call forward the Honourable Jason John Nixon to take the oath

00:14:03.820 as President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance.

00:14:06.820 Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the Executive Council role

00:14:13.820 book.

00:14:14.820 I, Jason John Nixon, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully

00:14:20.820 and to the best of my skill and knowledge

00:14:22.800 execute the powers and trust

00:14:24.760 reposed in me as president, treasurer

00:14:26.860 board and minister of finance for the province

00:14:28.860 of Alberta. So help me God.

00:14:50.820 Charles III, by the grace of God, King of Canada and his other realms and territories,

00:15:07.820 head of the commonwealth, to all to whom these presents shall come greeting, know ye that

00:15:16.820 Having confidence in the loyalty, integrity and ability of the Honorable Jason John Nixon

00:15:25.020 ECA of Mountain View County in the province of Alberta, I under and by virtue of the power

00:15:35.240 in me vested in that behalf do appoint the said Honorable Jason John Nixon ECA to be

00:15:44.980 the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance.

00:15:50.740 For the province of Alberta to have and to hold with all and every the powers, privileges,

00:15:59.860 authority and advantages to the said office of President of Treasury Board and Minister

00:16:07.860 of Finance by right and by law appertaining.

00:16:14.140 In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent and the great seal

00:16:22.120 of the province of Alberta to be here unto affixed.

00:16:27.900 Witness the Honorable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of the province of Alberta, in our

00:16:34.900 city of Calgary in our said province this 21st day of May, 2026, and in the fourth year

00:16:44.380 of His Majesty's reign by command.

00:17:04.900 The Honourable Jonathan Thomas-Newdorf,

00:17:32.880 please step forward to take the oath

00:17:34.620 as Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services.

00:17:38.460 Please take the oath of office

00:17:40.360 and subscribe to the same

00:17:42.140 in the Executive Council law book.

00:17:45.520 I, Jonathan Thomas Neudorf,

00:17:47.260 do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear

00:17:49.520 that I will duly and faithfully

00:17:51.320 and to the best of my skill and knowledge

00:17:53.420 execute the powers and trust reposed

00:17:55.600 in me as Minister of Assisted Living

00:17:57.760 and Social Services for the province of Alberta.

00:18:00.280 So help me God.

00:18:02.880 Thank you.

00:18:32.880 The Honourable R.J. Sigurdsson, please step forward to take the oath as Minister of

00:18:54.020 Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the

00:18:57.060 same in the executive council role book.

00:18:59.060 I do solemnly and sincerely promise and

00:19:02.060 swear that I will duly and faithfully to the

00:19:05.060 best of my skill and knowledge execute the

00:19:08.060 powers and trust reposed to me as the

00:19:11.080 minister of affordability and utilities for the

00:19:14.080 province of Alberta so help me God.

00:19:24.020 Thank you.

00:19:54.020 The Honourable Tara

00:20:16.940 Janitha Mary Sawyer, please step forward to

00:20:19.620 take the oath as Minister of Agriculture

00:20:21.580 and Irrigation.

00:20:22.740 Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the Executive Council World Book.

00:20:30.620 I, Tara Jenitha Mary Sawyer, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation for the province of Alberta.

00:20:48.980 So help me God.

00:20:52.740 Thank you.

00:21:22.740 The Honourable Adriana Lagrange,

00:21:51.640 please step forward to take the oath as

00:21:53.680 Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health

00:21:55.680 Services.

00:21:56.680 Please take the oath of office and

00:21:58.680 subscribe to the same in the Executive

00:22:00.680 Council rule book.

00:22:02.120 I, Adriana LaGrange,

00:22:04.760 do solemnly and sincerely promise and

00:22:07.760 swear that I will duly and faithfully and to

00:22:10.760 the best of my skill and knowledge execute the

00:22:13.600 powers and trust reposed in me as Minister of

00:22:16.600 Hospital and Surgical Health Services for the

00:22:18.640 of hospital and surgical health services for the province of Alberta, so help me God.

00:22:48.640 .

00:23:15.660 The Honourable Justin Tyler Wright, please

00:23:17.460 I will step forward to take the oath as

00:23:19.500 Minister of primary and preventative health

00:23:21.500 services.

00:23:22.500 Please take the oath of office and

00:23:24.500 subscribe to the same in the executive

00:23:26.500 council roll book.

00:23:27.500 I, Justin Tyler Wright, do

00:23:29.480 solemnly and sincerely promise and swear

00:23:31.480 that I will duly and faithfully and to the

00:23:34.480 best of my skills and knowledge, execute the

00:23:37.480 powers and trust reposed in me as the

00:23:39.480 Minister of primary and preventative health

00:23:41.480 services for the province of Alberta.

00:23:43.480 So help me God.

00:23:47.460 Thank you.

00:24:17.460 Thank you.

00:24:47.460 And, Your Honor, these are the members of the Executive Council.

00:25:17.460 I would now like to ask the Honourable Premier of Alberta, the Honourable Danielle Smith, to bring my remarks.

00:25:31.880 Your Honour, newly sworn ministers and honoured guests, thank you for joining us today in recognition and celebration of the contributions that each of you have made and will continue to make in service of this province.

00:25:44.600 As you know, the Honourable Matt Jones, who was serving our province as Minister of Hospital and Surgical Services,

00:25:51.600 has announced he will not be seeking re-election and has stepped aside in his position in Cabinet.

00:25:56.760 MLA Jones has served as MLA for Calgary Southeast since 2019 and also served as Member of Cabinet for over three years.

00:26:04.680 He served as Minister of Children and Family Services, Jobs, Economy and Trade, and most recently as Hospital and Surgical Health Services.

00:26:11.900 I would like to thank MLA Jones for his work in making child care more accessible and affordable for Alberta families and on modernizing our acute care health system.

00:26:21.720 MLA Jones will continue to serve his constituents as MLA for Calgary Southeast.

00:26:26.940 The Honourable Nate Horner has also announced he won't be seeking re-election and has stepped aside as Alberta's President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance so our government can prepare for the 2027 election.

00:26:38.200 MLA Horner has served as MLA for Drumheller-Stettler since 2019

00:26:41.980 and served as a member of Cabinet for nearly five years.

00:26:46.020 He served as Minister of Rural Economic Development, Minister of Agriculture

00:26:49.280 and most recently Minister of Treasury Board and Finance.

00:26:53.180 I thank him for his commitment to doubling the Heritage Savings Trust Fund

00:26:56.400 and keeping our province's fiscal position strong.

00:26:59.880 MLA Horner will also continue to serve as MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.

00:27:03.780 These changes paved the way for her Honour, the Honourable

00:27:06.320 to preside over the swearing-in of new

00:27:08.360 ministers today.

00:27:09.360 President of the Treasury Board and

00:27:11.360 Minister of Finance, the Honourable

00:27:13.360 Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living

00:27:15.360 and Social Services, the Honourable

00:27:17.360 Nathan Newdorf, Minister of

00:27:19.360 Affordability and Utilities, the Honourable

00:27:21.360 R.J. Sigurdsson, Minister of Agriculture

00:27:23.360 and Irrigation, the Honourable Tara

00:27:25.360 Sawyer, Minister of Hospital and Surgical

00:27:27.360 Health Services, the Honourable

00:27:29.360 Adriana Lagrange, Minister of Primary

00:27:31.360 and Preventative Health Services, the Honourable

00:27:33.360 Justin Wright.

00:27:34.320 With that important step complete, our government is focused on continuing to deliver on the mandate given to us by Albertans.

00:27:41.380 Since 2023, we have made significant progress, including helped create over 277,000 jobs,

00:27:48.280 attracted billions of dollars in investment, strengthened Alberta's position as a reliable global energy supplier

00:27:54.320 while advancing trade diversification and new export opportunities,

00:27:58.260 improving Alberta's health care system by

00:28:00.660 expanding continuing care spaces and helping to

00:28:03.200 move patients out of hospital beds when they

00:28:05.240 no longer require acute care.

00:28:07.260 We are adding critical capacity to our acute

00:28:10.040 care system by renovating and building

00:28:11.780 space for hospitals and also building eight

00:28:14.280 new urgent care centres across the province.

00:28:16.720 We are committed to delivering 50,000

00:28:19.220 additional surgeries to reduce wait times for

00:28:21.520 Albertans, build five recovery communities and

00:28:23.820 four more are expected to open later this year.

00:28:26.480 this year, added more police officers to keep

00:28:29.080 our streets safe, taking action to address the

00:28:31.580 pressures caused by rapid population growth

00:28:34.160 by taking more control over our province's

00:28:36.660 immigration, invested billions of dollars in

00:28:39.500 new schools, school modernizations, and

00:28:42.360 classroom supports for Alberta students,

00:28:44.440 launched 476 complexity teams in classrooms

00:28:47.860 that need them the most, and of course,

00:28:50.040 implemented an income tax cut to save families

00:28:52.240 up to $1,500 per year.

00:28:54.080 Albertans also continue to pay the lowest taxes in Canada

00:28:57.160 with lower income taxes, no PST, no payroll tax or health premium.

00:29:02.100 And that is only a small part of the progress that our government has made to date.

00:29:05.920 Albertans are trusting us, each of us in this room, to do that critical work.

00:29:09.900 As a team, we will continue to govern for everyone in the province.

00:29:13.440 We will build on a solid foundation of legislation, policies, and informed decision-making.

00:29:18.300 Over the past three years, our government has taken meaningful action

00:29:21.940 to grow Alberta's economy, create jobs, attract investments, strengthen our energy sector and provide tax relief for Alberta families.

00:29:29.220 At the same time, we've continued investing in safer communities, improved healthcare access, recovery-oriented supports, education infrastructure, and the critical services needed to support Alberta's rapidly growing population.

00:29:43.060 With this team of ministers, we will stay focused on delivering on our commitments and ensuring Alberta remains forever strong and free.

00:29:50.500 Thank you.

00:29:51.940 All rise to the Department of Industry Department.

00:30:21.940 Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that you please be seated for part two of our ceremony this morning.

00:30:34.800 This ceremony involves witnessing a new parliamentary secretary and the new chief government whip

00:30:41.600 as they take their oath of confidentiality and allegiance.

00:30:44.860 I would like to now welcome the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, back to the podium.

00:30:51.940 Thank you.

00:30:59.140 I want to take a moment to recognize Scott

00:31:00.880 Sear for his dedicated service to Albertans.

00:31:03.280 I'm happy to announce Scott Sear

00:31:05.260 as Parliamentary Secretary for

00:31:06.960 Transportation and Strategic

00:31:08.560 Development.

00:31:09.560 Since being elected a United

00:31:11.420 Conservative MLA in 2023,

00:31:13.600 Scott has brought a strong work ethic,

00:31:15.600 thoughtful leadership, and a commitment

00:31:17.500 to accountability and responsible

00:31:19.000 government.

00:31:20.200 He has served on several important

00:31:21.940 including the standing committee on legislative

00:31:23.980 offices, the standing committee on public

00:31:25.980 accounts, and the standing committee on

00:31:27.980 resource stewardship, and serves as deputy

00:31:29.980 chair of the standing committee on private

00:31:31.980 bills.

00:31:32.980 On behalf of our government, I want to

00:31:34.980 thank MLA Sear for his continued service

00:31:36.980 and dedicated to building a stronger

00:31:39.000 Alberta.

00:31:40.000 Thank you so much.

00:31:42.000 I would now like to ask Scott Joseph Sear,

00:31:44.000 MLA for Bonneville, Cold Lake, St. Paul,

00:31:46.000 to come forward to take the oath of

00:31:48.000 confidentiality and allegiance.

00:31:51.940 The Deputy Provincial Secretary and Deputy Minister of Justice, Malcolm Lavoie, will administer the oath.

00:31:59.140 I ask that Scott Joseph Sear take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance and sign the same.

00:32:08.400 I, Scott Joseph Sear, do solemnly swear that I will serve his majesty truly and faithfully in his majesty's province of Alberta

00:32:17.280 and that I will not, without due authorization, disclose or make known any matter or thing which comes to my knowledge by reason of my role as Parliamentary Secretary.

00:32:28.100 In general, I will be vigilant, diligent, and circumspect in all of my doings, touching on the King's Majesty's affairs, all which matters and things I will faithfully observe and keep to the utmost of my power, will, and discretion.

00:32:47.860 So help me God.

00:32:58.100 Thank you so much.

00:33:28.100 Today, I am also proud to recognize the

00:33:30.140 service and leadership of Brandon Lundy

00:33:32.140 and to announce his appointment as our new

00:33:34.140 Chief Government Whip for our United

00:33:36.140 Conservative Caucus.

00:33:37.140 Since being elected in 2023 as the MLA for

00:33:40.120 LeDuc Beaumont, Brandon has distinguished

00:33:42.120 himself as a thoughtful, steady and hard-working

00:33:44.120 member of our government caucus.

00:33:46.120 He has earned the respect of his colleagues

00:33:48.120 through his professionalism, his

00:33:50.120 integrity, and his leadership.

00:33:52.120 He has earned the respect of his colleagues

00:33:55.120 through his professionalism, his

00:33:58.100 and his commitment to public service.

00:33:59.800 Over the past three years, Brandon has taken

00:34:02.040 on several important leadership roles

00:34:03.700 within the legislative assembly.

00:34:05.480 He served as chair of the standing committee

00:34:07.580 on legislative offices, helping to ensure

00:34:09.620 transparency and accountability

00:34:11.080 of Alberta's independent institutions.

00:34:13.040 He also served as deputy chair

00:34:15.320 of the standing committee on public

00:34:16.920 accounts, where he worked diligently

00:34:18.720 to strengthen oversight of government spending

00:34:21.160 and to protect taxpayer dollars.

00:34:23.300 In addition, Brandon has chaired both

00:34:25.420 the special select citizen initiative

00:34:27.700 committee and the two special

00:34:29.740 committee on electoral

00:34:31.740 boundaries.

00:34:32.740 Two responsibilities that

00:34:34.740 required fairness, collaboration and

00:34:36.740 careful attention to the voices of Albertans

00:34:38.720 across the province.

00:34:39.720 Those experiences have helped to prepare

00:34:41.720 him well for this next chapter of service.

00:34:43.720 The role of chief government

00:34:45.720 whip requires strong leadership, sound

00:34:47.720 judgment and the ability to bring people

00:34:49.720 together to deliver results on behalf of

00:34:51.720 Albertans and on behalf of our

00:34:53.720 government.

00:34:54.720 I want to thank Brandon Lennon for the

00:34:56.700 I want to thank Brandon Luntee for accepting this role.

00:34:59.400 I would now like to ask Brandon Glenn Luntee, MLA for the Duke Beaumont to come forward to take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance.

00:35:09.920 And again, the Deputy Provincial Secretary, Deputy Minister of Justice, Malcolm Lavoie, will administer the oath.

00:35:15.620 I ask that Brandon Glenn Luntee take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance and sign the same.

00:35:20.960 I, Brandon Glenn-Lunty, do solemnly swear that I will serve His Majesty truly and faithfully in this His Majesty's province of Alberta.

00:35:29.560 I will keep confidential all matters that are addressed, discussed, and decided at Cabinet and its committees without publishing or disclosing them or any part of them verbally, in writing or otherwise to any person out of Cabinet or its committees.

00:35:44.700 In general, I will be diligent, diligent, and circumspect in all of my doings touching His Majesty's affairs.

00:35:50.960 all which matters and things I will faithfully observe and keep

00:35:53.740 to the utmost of my power, will, and discretion, so help me God.

00:36:15.640 Thank you so much.

00:36:20.960 thank you premier congratulations once again to all the new ministers parliamentary secretary

00:36:47.840 and the new chief government with plenty.

00:36:50.500 This concludes our formal ceremony today.

00:36:53.180 Please stay for reception in the room.

00:36:55.780 Food and beverages will be available.

00:36:58.020 Premier and her ministers will be available to you

00:37:01.180 shortly.

00:37:02.480 So with that, have a wonderful day.

00:37:04.960 Thank you.

Western Standard - May 22, 2026

New Alberta cabinet ministers to be sworn in

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