Red Deer South MLA Cal Dallas landed a new role when Premier Ed Stelmach shuffled his cabinet on Thursday.
Dallas has landed the job of parliamentary assistant for finance, replacing fellow backbencher Doug Griffiths, who threw his hat into the ring to replace Stelmach on Tuesday.
“It’s a new opportunity to work on another important piece of business,” said Dallas, who was previously parliamentary assistant for environment.
“It’s an area that I’ve always had an interest in and so I’m excited for the opportunity,” he said. Dallas was former executive director of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce before entering provincial politics.
Wetaskiwin backbencher Verlyn Olson is the new justice minister, replacing Alison Redford who resigned Wednesday to run for the Tory leadership.
Greg Weadick, an MLA from Lethbridge, takes over the advanced education portfolio from the departing Doug Horner.
As parliamentary assistant, Dallas expects to be deeply involved in the government’s competitiveness efforts. The government launched a major initiative last year to improve the province’s competitiveness by pursuing partnerships with industry, business and individuals.
Dallas will also be there to help Finance Minister Lloyd Snelgrove as the province gears up for its budget, which will be unveiled on Feb. 24.
There has been no word yet on who will take over the junior environment minister job. Dallas was leading the province’s Too Good to Waste recycling effort and renewing Alberta’s air quality strategy.