Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation Doug Schweitzer. (Supplied by United Conservative Party)

By David Opinko

Doug Schweitzer discusses plans as Alberta’s new Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation

Aug 28, 2020 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Following this week’s cabinet shuffle in the provincial government, one minister is excited to be in his new role.

After first being appointed at the Justice Minister and Solicitor General in April 2019, Doug Schweitzer is now the Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation.

READ MORE: Kenney shuffles cabinet

He says it is a position that Premier Jason Kenney asked him to take, but one that he is ready for.

His experience in this area goes back to his time before becoming an MLA when he worked for a large law firm that dealt with bankruptcies and insolvencies, “taking companies that were having financial difficulties and helping them turn the corner.”

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Then as he became the Minister of Justice, Schweitzer says Kenney was impressed by the amount of significant legislation he and his team were able to complete in a short amount of time.

According to Schweitzer, the Premier asked him to take on this new role because of how much work is going to be involved.

“We’re in this pandemic now and hundreds of thousands of Albertans have lost their jobs, so implementing our recovery plan is priority number one to get people back to work, that simply has to happen.”

LNN reported this week that the new provincial budget deficit reached a historic high of $24.2-billion in the first quarter of this year.

READ MORE: Impacts of COVID-19 and oil price collapse result in historic deficit for Alberta

In an attempt to remedy the economic situation, Schweitzer explained that they will be rolling out “sector-specific” strategies this fall.

“From agriculture to manufacturing, technologies, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, we’re going to be working to make sure that we have robust plans that meet the needs of Albertans as well as the economy of the future so we have that diversification.”

With Schweitzer now part of a different ministry, Kaycee Madu will take over his now-former role as the Justice Minister.

One of Schweitzer’s most significant ongoing tasks is to review the Police Act and revamp the “outdated” parts of law enforcement in the province.

READ MORE: Justice Minister vows to revamp “outdated” parts of policing in Alberta

He says both he and Kenney have full confidence in Madu’s ability to take over high-profile matters like this.

When asked about his biggest highlights from his time at Alberta’s Justice Minister, Schweitzer said it was getting to do the rural crime town halls in 2019 to learn, shortly after forming government, what the priorities of Albertans were when it came to tackling crime.

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