Alberta’s newest Tourism, Parks and Recreation minister happens to live near one of the province’s largest tourist draws.
Jack Hayden, a second-term MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, previously held the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio in Ed Stelmach’s last cabinet.
The new appointment was somewhat surprising, said Hayden.
“But at the same time, when you are the MLA for Drumheller-Stettler and you have got the Royal Tyrrell Museum, (one of the largest tourism draws in Alberta),” Hayden said.
“It is such a big part of my constituency, this ministry — it’s a nice fit that way.”
On Wednesday, Premier Alison Redford announced her cabinet. More than 10 MLAs lost the cabinet positions they held under Stelmach’s leadership.
Hayden said the tourism industry in the province employs more than 100,000 people, generates well over $5 billion of activity and has huge potential for growth.
Hayden looks forward to working with the new mix of cabinet faces at the table.
“The amount of change that’s happened caught everybody by a little surprise because our premier said there was going to be lots of change,” Hayden said.
“So she’s good to her word. When I looked at around the table, of course, I’ve worked with everybody at that table and she did a masterful job. There’s an awful lot of intelligent people and energetic people there. There are a lot of new ideas, fresh ideas. There is a youth feel around that table. It’s a really good mix.”
Hayden said he enjoyed working in Agriculture and leaves the portfolio at a time when yields are high and the future looks bright for the industry.
Cal Dallas, MLA for Red Deer South, was tapped as minister of International, Governmental, and Aboriginal Relations in the new cabinet.
Former ministers under Stelmach, Mary Anne Jablonski, MLA for Red Deer North, and Luke Ouellette, MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, did not receive cabinet posts.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate