Grant Hunter sworn in as Alberta’s environment, protected areas minister

Premier Danielle Smith says an Alberta election will not come sooner than 2027 amid rumours circulating after the resignation of her environment minister.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s cabinet shuffle spurred by Rebecca Schulz’s resignation was completed Friday morning with the swearing in of Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter as Alberta’s new minister of environment and protected areas.

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“(Grant’s) been an MLA since 2015, bringing more than a decade of experience across a variety of roles. His constituents of Taber-Warner have benefited from his wisdom and dedication now for many years, and he will bring that same perspective to his new role,” Smith said of the former associate minister of red tape reduction and former associate minister of water after the swearing-in ceremony in Calgary.

His focus will be on protecting the irrigation system from zebra mussels, establishing the new water transfer system, and continuing to monitor and implement new tailings ponds policies, the premier said.

Additionally on Friday, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright was sworn in as the new chief government whip for the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus.

“He’s continuing to serve as parliamentary secretary for rural health for southern Alberta, as well as the military liaison for our UCP caucus. And he will be an excellent asset to our caucus leadership team, and will hold the critically important role of working with caucus members and ensuring that the voices of their constituents are heard,” Smith said.

She added her government would remain focused on attracting investment to Alberta, creating jobs, and improving services in 2026.

She denied the province was considering calling an early election, noting the electoral boundary commission is in the process of adding two new seats to accommodate population growth.

“Our intention is to continue to work for the next two years on the mandate that we were elected to govern on.

“We have fixed election dates for a reason and we have four-year mandates for a reason.”

With files from CTV News Calgary