Alberta now has 25 ministries, two ministers without portfolios and 11 parliamentary secretaries. The expanded list will give the province a better shot at juicing its economy, Premier Danielle Smith says
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith brushed off criticism over the size of her first cabinet, which is larger than the one assembled by her predecessor Jason Kenney and double that of the first one put together by the New Democratic Party, saying it is necessary in order to diversify the provincial economy and scour government for cost-saving opportunities.
“They are going to be really important economic drivers and they all deserve specialized attention,” Ms. Smith told reporters after the new cabinet was sworn in. Proof of her small government philosophy, she said, will stem from the headcount in the public service. MLAs are paid $120,936 a year in Alberta, and ministers receive an additional $60,468. Ministers without portfolios collect $27,216 on top of their base salary. The plethora of new departments will require political and bureaucratic employees, such as chiefs of staff and deputy ministers.