Tyler Shandro being sworn in as Alberta's New Minister of Labour & Immigration. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Updated with more comments

Tyler Shandro removed as Alberta’s Health Minister, now Labour & Immigration Minister

Sep 21, 2021 | 3:47 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Premier Jason Kenney announced a significant cabinet swap.

At a ceremony in Edmonton Tuesday afternoon, Jason Copping was sworn in as the province’s new Minister of Health.

That means that Tyler Shandro, who has been the health minister since 2019, will no longer serve in the role. Instead, he will take over Copping’s now-former position as the Minister of Labour and Immigration.

Kenney says Shandro gave his resignation.

“It has been a gruelling two-plus years. For Tyler, I was there myself and saw he and his family being chased and assaulted by anti-vaccine protesters, and all of that, I know, has taken a real toll on Minister Shandro. He’s done his very best in the position, but he and I both came to the conclusion that it would be best to have a fresh start.”

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The Premier says Shandro is one of the hardest-working people he knew and that his dedication to the job was never in question.

Kenney also went on to give high praise to Copping, saying he has proven himself to be a “thoughtful and capable leader.”

Copping explained that there are three key issues he would like to focus on to get Alberta through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First, increasing our baseline hospital capacity permanently. Second, educating vaccine-hesitant Albertans to get more Albertans immunized. Third, preparing our health system to more adequately respond to potential future waves of COVID-19.”

Shandro spent much of his two years as Health Minister in a long-standing labour negotiation with healthcare professionals.

After learning that Shandro would no longer be in that position, Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Vice President Susan Slade said, “good riddance.”

“Tyler Shandro set fire to Alberta’s health care system and hung Albertans out to dry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s past time for him to suffer some consequences for his actions.”

More details to come.

The swearing-in ceremony can be viewed below: