A day after the federal election, the province of Manitoba welcomes two new members and reorganizes its own ministries.
Blaine Pedersen, MLA for Midland, has been named the minister of the new department of agriculture and resource development for Manitoba. The new expanded department will focus on agriculture and natural resources, including watershed districts, GROW programming, forestry, mining, fish and wildlife management.
Previously, Ralph Eichler, MLA for Lakeside, held the role of provincial agricultural minister since 2016. Eichler will now become the minister of another new department, the department of economic development and training. This department will be focused on economic development combined with post-secondary education and training to create alignment between education and the jobs that will drive the economy.
While Pedersen is new to his role, he is not new to agriculture. The Minister has more than 30 years farming experience in cattle and grain operations and has served in many livestock organizations and groups such as Kinsmen, 4-H program and a local housing corporation.
Reg Helwer, MLA for Brandon West, and Sarah Guillemard, MLA for Fort Richmond, were sworn in as new ministers. Helwer will head the new department of central services and Guillemard will head the new department of conservation and climate.
