FRANCAIS

November 04, 2003

The cabinet changes announced today by Premier Gary Doer are being accompanied by changes in the provincial government’s senior management ranks.

Doer noted the changes are designed to strengthen the government’s ability to address key priorities.

"Increasingly, we believe we should give managers a chance to gain experience in a wide range of departments instead of simply moving through the department in which they began their careers," he said.

"This is a practice followed in other jurisdictions and helps ensure the most effective use of talent and experience. Our aim is to achieve the best possible blend of expertise and close collaboration in our top management team."

The new appointments include:

• Tannis Mindell as secretary of treasury board. Mindell was deputy minister of family services and housing.
• Don Potter as deputy minister of conservation. Potter was secretary of treasury board.
• Barry Todd as acting deputy minister of agriculture, food and rural initiatives. Todd was assistant deputy minister for regional agricultural services.
• Debra Woodgate as deputy minister of family services and housing. Woodgate was associate deputy minister of treasury board.
• Norm Brandson as deputy minister of water stewardship. Brandson was deputy minister of conservation.
• Jeff Parr confirmed as deputy minister of labour and immigration. Parr was acting deputy.
• Don Zasada as special advisor to agriculture, food and rural initiatives for a transitional period pending retirement from the public service. Zasada was deputy minister of agriculture and food.

Doer thanked Zasada for his long and distinguished service with the province, both in the former Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs and in the Department of Agriculture and Food.

The premier noted that the other deputy ministers will continue in their present roles. A full list of deputies follows.

The new appointments will become effective immediately.

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Mr. James Eldridge, Clerk of the Executive Council and Deputy Minister of Federal-Provincial Relations

Mr. Norm Brandson, Deputy Minister of Water Stewardship

Deputy Minister of Health

Deputy Minister of Healthy Living

Mr. Harvey Bostrom, Deputy Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs

Mr. Barry Todd, Acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Mr. Bruce MacFarlane, Q.C., Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General

Ms. Sandra Hardy, Deputy Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism

Deputy Minister of Advanced Education and Training

Deputy Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth

Ms. Marie Elliott, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. John Clarkson, Deputy Minister of Energy, Science and Technology

Mr. Andrew T. Horosko, Deputy Minister of Transportation

Mr. Gerry Berezuk, Deputy Minister of Government Services

Mr. J. Patrick Gannon, Deputy Minister of Finance

Mr. Hugh Eliasson, Deputy Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines

Mr. Don Potter, Deputy Minister of Conservation

Mr. Jeff Parr, Deputy Minister of Labour and Immigration

Ms. Debra Woodgate, Deputy Minister of Family Services and Housing

Ms. Shirley Strutt, Q.C., Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission

Ms. Tannis Mindell, Secretary to Treasury Board