New Alberta cabinet ministers to be sworn in

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00][music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Jesus.

[00:01:57]Jesus.

[00:02:07]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Please be seated.

[00:03:32]Your honor, Premier, Ministers, Ministers Designates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

[00:03:40]My name is Jeannie Smith and I am the Chief of Protocol for the Province of Alberta.

[00:03:46]It is my great pleasure to welcome you to McDougall Centre for the swearing in of the new cabinet.

[00:03:51]Her honor, the Honorable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, will now bring remarks.

[00:03:58]Your Honor.

[00:04:07]Thank you so much, Janine.

[00:04:10]As His Majesty the King's representative in Alberta and as a settler, I acknowledge all First Peoples who have called this place home for thousands of years and who welcomed us here to make our own lives. May we always dwell together on these lands with respect, and understanding, and a sincere commitment to walking the journey of reconciliation, and now I say reconcili-action.

[00:04:40]And I also want to acknowledge the presence of my aide-de-camp for today, Captain B.J.

[00:04:46]Bjorson. Um, B.J. is a volunteer with the office of the Lieutenant Governor, and I'd like to applaud his presence and the presence of every person in this room who volunteers their time. Because as we all know, volunteers are the backbone of our society, of our communities, and they make things happen. So, big round of applause to all the volunteers in this room.

[00:05:13]>> [applause] >> So, today I want to say thank you to all the outgoing ministers, and I congratulate all of you who will be taking on new roles in cabinet, and I thank you for the valued service you have contributed to this province already.

[00:05:34]As you well know, the decisions you make in your new roles will impact the opportunities and the quality available to your fellow quality of life available to your fellow Albertans.

[00:05:50]And you know, too, this is no small matter.

[00:05:54]My own life experience has taught me that Alberta is a land of opportunity.

[00:06:02]We are fortunate to have at our disposal an enormous supply of natural resources as well as a population filled with creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, and mavericks whose talents continue to transform this province and guide us into the future.

[00:06:27]Challenges will undoubtedly confront us along the way, but our potential both individually and collectively is practically limitless.

[00:06:42]We must not lose sight of our goal, the desire to improve the lives of our fellow Albertans.

[00:06:52]For this reason, it is all the more important that our elected officials orient themselves around the basic principles of democracy, the rule of law, and good government that define our Canadian way of life.

[00:07:13]And I must say we heard that beautiful rendition of O Canada.

[00:07:18]To me, when we say O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

[00:07:23]What we are standing on guard for are our Canadian values.

[00:07:31]So, I know that your duties might sometimes be overwhelming, but I know that you will perform them to the absolute best of your abilities.

[00:07:44]Luckily, you all have the support of your family and loved ones who are here with you today.

[00:07:53]To the family members and the loved ones, I would like to say that the encouragement you have provided has been key to your loved one's success and your support will continue to be invaluable as they take on their new responsibilities.

[00:08:13]And I express my sincere gratitude to all of you.

[00:08:19]As His Majesty the King's representative in Alberta, I extend my best wishes to our ministers.

[00:08:27]May you enjoy nothing but success in your new roles. Thank you.

[00:08:36]>> [applause] >> I have a letter from the Premier recommending the members of Executive Council.

[00:08:59]I accept her recommendations.

[00:09:02]Premier, please now introduce the members of the Executive Council.

[00:09:15]Thank you, Your Honor. Your Honor, I would now ask the members swearing the oath of executive office to please step forward. That is the Honorable Justin Tyler Shandro and the Honorable Tanya Fir Jeanetha Berry Sawyer.

[00:09:35]I will now administer the oath of Executive Council to the new members.

[00:09:41]Members, please repeat "So help me God."

[00:09:45]or "I affirm." at the close of the oath.

[00:09:50]Oath of members of the Executive Council.

[00:09:54]You, Justin Wright, and Terra Sawyer, do solemnly promise and swear that you will serve His Majesty truly and faithfully in the place of His Council in this, His Majesty's Province of Alberta.

[00:10:15]You will keep close and secret all such matters as shall be treated, debated, and resolved on in Executive Council without publishing or disclosing the same or any part thereof by word, writing, or any otherwise to any person out of the same Council, but to such only as be of the Council.

[00:10:48]And yet, if any matter so propounded, treated, and debated in any such Executive Council shall touch any particular person sworn of the same Council upon any such matter as shall in any wise concern their loyalty and fidelity to the King's Majesty, you will in no wise open the same to them, but keep it secret as you would from any person until the King's Majesty's pleasure be known in that behalf.

[00:11:35]You will in all things to be moved, treated, and debated in any such Executive Council, faithfully, honestly, and truly declare your mind and opinion to the honor and benefit of the King's Majesty and the good of his subjects without partiality or exception of persons, in no wise forbearing so to do from any manner of respect, favor, love, need, displeasure, or dread of any person or persons whatsoever.

[00:12:23]In general, you will be vigilant, diligent, and circumspect in all your doings touching the King's Majesty's affairs.

[00:12:36]All which matters and things you will faithfully observe and keep as a good counselor ought to do to the utmost of your power, will, and discretion.

[00:12:53]So help you God or I so affirm. So help me God.

[00:13:04]Members will now subscribe to the oath by signing the Executive Council Roll Book.

[00:13:59]>> Your Honor, I will now call forward the Honorable Jason John Nixon to take the oath as President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance.

[00:14:08]Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the Executive Council roll book.

[00:14:15]I, Jason John Nixon, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute the powers entrusted with mostly me as President Treasury Board and Minister of Finance for the province of Alberta. So help me God.

[00:14:58]Charles III, by the grace of God, King of Canada and his other realms and territories, head of the Commonwealth.

[00:15:09]To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting.

[00:15:15]Know ye that having confidence in the loyalty, integrity, and ability of the honorable Jason John Nixon, ECA, of Mountain View County in the province of Alberta, I, under and by virtue of the power in me vested in that behalf, do appoint the said honorable Jason John Nixon, ECA, to be President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance for the province of Alberta, to have and to hold with all and every the powers, privileges, authority, and advantages to the said office of President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance by right and by law appertaining.

[00:16:13]In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent and the great seal of the province of Alberta to be here unto affixed.

[00:16:27]Witness the honorable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of the province of Alberta, in our city of Calgary, in our said province, this 21st day of May, 2026, and in the fourth year of His Majesty's reign. By command.

[00:16:59]Congratulations, Mr. Nixon.

[00:17:31]>> The honorable Jonathan Thomas C Jonathan Thomas C do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute the powers and trust reposed in me as Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services for the province of Alberta. So help me God.

[00:18:49]The honorable R.J. Sigurdson please step forward to take the oath as Minister of Affordability and Utilities.

[00:18:57]Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the executive council handbook.

[00:19:04]I R.J. Sigurdson do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully to the best of my skill and knowledge execute the powers and trust reposed to me as the Minister of affordability and utilities for the province of Alberta.

[00:19:18]So help me God.

[00:19:35]>> [snorts] >> The Honorable Tara Jenitha Mary Sawyer, please step forward to take the oath as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

[00:20:24]Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the Executive Council roll book.

[00:20:30]I, Tara Jenitha Mary Sawyer, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute the powers and trust trusts reposed in me as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation for the province of Alberta. So help me God.

[00:21:46]>> [laughter] >> The Honorable Adriana LaGrange, please step forward to take the oath as Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services.

[00:21:56]Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the Executive Council notebook.

[00:22:03]I, Adriana LaGrange, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services for the province of Alberta. So help me God.

[00:22:54]Thank you.

[00:22:59]>> [clears throat] >> The Honorable Justin Tyler Wright, please step forward to take the oath as Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services. Please take the oath of office and subscribe to the same in the Executive Council Oath Book.

[00:23:27]I, Justin Tyler Wright, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will duly and faithfully, and to the best of my skills and knowledge, execute the powers and trust reposed in me as the Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services for the Province of Alberta. So help me God.

[00:24:42]>> [snorts] >> And Your Honor, these are the members of the executive council.

[00:25:19]I would now like to ask the honorable premier of Alberta, the honorable Danielle Smith to bring remarks.

[00:25:32]Your honor, newly sworn ministers and honored guests, thank you for joining us today in recognition and celebration of the contributions contributions that each of you have made and will continue to make in service of this province. As you know, the honorable Matt Jones, who was serving our province as Minister of Hospital and Surgical Services, has announced he will not be seeking re-election and has stepped aside in his position in cabinet. MLA Jones has served as MLA for Calgary Southeast since 19 2019 and also served as member of cabinet for over 3 years. He served as Minister of Children and Family Services, Jobs, Economy and Trade, and most recently as Hospital and Surgical Health Services. I'd like to thank MLA Jones for his work in making child care more accessible and affordable for Alberta families and on modernizing our acute care health system.

[00:26:20]Uh the uh MLA Jones will continue to serve his constituents as MLA for Calgary Southeast.

[00:26:26]The honorable Nate Horner has also announced he won't be seeking re-election and has stepped aside as Alberta's President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance so our government can prepare for the 2027 election. MLA Horner has served as MLA for Drumheller-Stettler since 2019 and served as a member of cabinet for nearly 5 years.

[00:26:45]He served as Minister of Rural Economic Development, Minister of Agriculture, and most recently Minister of Treasury Board and Finance. I thank him for his commitment to doubling the Heritage Savings Trust Fund and keeping our province's fiscal position strong. MLA Horner will also continue to serve as MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.

[00:27:04]These changes pave the way for Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, to preside over the swearing in of new ministers today. President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Jason Nixon. Minister of Affordability and Utilities, the Honourable R.J.

[00:27:21]Sigurdson. Minister of Agriculture and Immigration or Irrigation, the Honourable Teresa Soier.

[00:27:27]Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, the Honourable Adriana LaGrange. Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, the Honourable Justin Wright. With that important step complete, our government is focused on continuing to deliver on the mandate given to us by Albertans.

[00:27:41]Since 2023, we have made significant progress, including helped create over 277,000 jobs, attracted billions of dollars in investment, strengthened position as a reliable global energy supplier while advancing trade diversification and new export opportunities, improving Alberta's healthcare system by expanding continuing care spaces and helping to move patients out of hospital beds when they no longer require require acute care. We are adding critical capacity to our acute care system by renovating and building space for hospitals and also building eight new urgent care centers across the province.

[00:28:17]We are committed to delivering 50,000 additional surgeries to reduce wait times for Albertans, built five recovery communities and four more are expected to open later this year, added more police officers to keep our streets safe, taking action to address the pressures caused by rapid population growth by taking more control over our province's immigration, invested billions of dollars in new schools, school modernizations, and classroom supports for Alberta students, launched 476 complexity teams in classrooms that need them the most and of course implemented an income tax cut to save families up to $1,500 per year.

[00:28:54]Albertans also continue to pay the lowest taxes in Canada with lower income taxes, no PST, no payroll tax or health premium. And that is only a small part of the progress that our government has made to date. Albertans are trusting us, each of us in this room, to do that critical work. As a team we will continue to govern for everyone in the province. We will build on a solid foundation of legislation, policies and informed decision-making. Over the past three years our government has taken taken meaningful action to grow Alberta's economy, create jobs, attract investment, strengthen our energy sector and provide tax relief for Alberta families. At the same time we've continued investing in safer communities, improved health care access, recovery-oriented supports, education infrastructure and the critical services needed to support Alberta's rapidly growing population.

[00:29:43]With this team of ministers, we will stay focused on delivering on our commitments and ensuring Alberta remains forever strong and free. Thank you.

[00:29:54]>> [applause] >> All rise for the departure of the Vice Regal Department.

[00:30:27]Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that you please be seated for part two of our ceremony this morning.

[00:30:35]This ceremony involves witnessing a new parliamentary secretary and the new chief whip the chief government whip as they take their oath of confidentiality and allegiance.

[00:30:45]I would like to now welcome the honorable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, back to the podium.

[00:30:58]Thank you. I want to take a moment to recognize Scott Cear for his dedicated service to Albertans. I'm happy to announce Scott Cear as parliamentary secretary for transportation and strategic development. Since being elected a UC a United Conservative MLA in 2023, Scott has brought a strong work ethic, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to accountability and responsible government. He has served on several important legislative committees, including the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship, and serves as Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Private Bills. On behalf of our government, I want to thank uh MLA Cear for his continued service and dedicated to building a stronger Alberta. Thank you so much.

[00:31:41]I'd all now like to ask Scott Joseph Cear, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul, to come forward to take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance.

[00:31:54]Deputy Provincial Secretary and Deputy Minister of Justice Malcolm Lavoie will administer the oath.

[00:31:59]I ask that Scott Joseph Cear take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance and sign the same.

[00:32:08]I, Scott Joseph Cear, do solemnly swear that I will serve His Majesty truly and faithfully in His Majesty's Province of Alberta, and that I will not, without due authorization, disclose or make known any matter or thing which comes to my knowledge by reason of my role as Parliamentary Secretary. In general, I will be vigilant, diligent, and circumspect uh in all of my doings touching on the King's Majesty's affairs, all which matters and things I will faithfully observe and keep to the utmost of my power, will, and discretion. So help me God.

[00:33:10]Thank you so much.

[00:33:36]Today, I'm also proud to recognize the service and leadership of Brandon Lunty and to announce his appointment as our new chief government whip for our United Conservative Caucus. Since being elected in 2023 as the MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, Brandon has distinguished himself as a thoughtful, steady, and hardworking member of our government caucus. He's earned the respect of his colleagues through his professionalism, his integrity, and his commitment to public service. Over the past 3 years, Brandon has taken on several important leadership roles within the Legislative Assembly. He served as chair of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices helping to ensure transparency and accountability of Alberta's independent institutions. He also served as Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts where he worked diligently to strengthen oversight of government spending and to protect taxpayer dollars. In addition, Brandon has chaired both the Special Select Citizen Initiative Proposal Review Committee and the two special a special committee on elect electoral boundaries. Two responsibilities that required fairness, collaboration, and careful attention to the voices of Albertans across the province. Those experiences have helped to prepare him well for this next chapter of service.

[00:34:47]The role of chief government whip requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to bring people together to deliver results on behalf of Albertans and on behalf of our government. I want to thank Brandon Lunn for accepting this role. I would now like to ask Brandon Glenn Lunn MLA for Leduc-Beaumont to come forward to take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance.

[00:35:10]And again, the Deputy Provincial Secretary, Deputy Minister of Justice Malcolm Lavoie will administer the oath.

[00:35:15]I ask that Brandon Glenn Lunn take the oath of confidentiality and allegiance and sign the same.

[00:35:22]I, Brandon Glenn Lunn, do solemnly swear that I will serve His Majesty truly and faithfully in this His Majesty's province of Alberta.

[00:35:30]I will keep confidential all matters that are addressed, discussed, and decided at cabinet and its committees without publishing or disclosing them or any part of them verbally, in writing, or otherwise to any person out of cabinet or its committees.

[00:35:44]In general, I will be vigilant, diligent, and circumspect in all of my doings touching His Majesty's affairs.

[00:35:51]All which matters and things I will faithfully observe and keep to the utmost of my power, will, and discretion.

[00:35:57]So help me, God.

[00:36:08]>> [clears throat] >> Thanks so much. Thank you.

[00:36:42]>> Thank you, Premier.

[00:36:44]Congratulations once again to all the new ministers, parliamentary secretary Cera, and the new chief government whip, Lenty.

[00:36:51]This concludes our formal ceremony today.

[00:36:53]Please stay for reception in the Azure Room. Food and beverages will be available. Premier and and and her ministers will be available to you shortly. So, with that, have a wonderful day. Thank you.