WINNIPEG -- Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has rewarded some key loyalists in the first cabinet shuffle since a leadership challenge that he barely survived.
Selinger lost five top cabinet ministers late last year when they resigned after calling for him to step down.
None of them, including Theresa Oswald who lost to Selinger by 33 votes, was brought back into cabinet.
Backbench MLA Mohinder Saran delivered more than 100 crucial votes to Selinger's leadership campaign and has been made housing minister.
Steve Ashton, who ran against Selinger, is returning to his position as transportation and emergency measures minister.
Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh moves to the justice portfolio, while James Allum heads to education from justice.
Education minister Peter Bjornson is not running again and was dropped from cabinet.
Backbencher Tom Nevakshonoff, who supported Ashton, was appointed conservation minister.
