Premier Danielle Smith announced a cabinet shuffle on May 21, 2026. This follows the completion of the spring legislative session and the anticipated resignations of Finance Minister Nate Horner and Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones. The Premier announced six changes to her cabinet, along with appointing a new Chief Government Whip and a new Parliamentary Secretary. This is expected to be the last shuffle in advance of the provincial election in 2027.
The Shuffle
HON. JASON NIXON → TREASURY BOARD AND FINANCE: Nixon, who most recently served as Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, was publicly rumoured to be moving to this role for several weeks. As a former Government House Leader and Environment Minister under Premier Kenney, his elevation to Treasury Board and Finance places a trusted hand on the fiscal file heading into the 2027 election.
HON. NATHAN NEUDORF → ASSISTED LIVING AND SOCIAL SERVICES: Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge-East, takes over the social services portfolio that Nixon formerly held. Neudorf served as Minister of Affordability and Utilities since June 2023, previously held the Infrastructure portfolio, and was Deputy Premier in Premier Smith’s first cabinet (2022-2023). Neudorf’s measured approach positions him well for the politically sensitive Assisted Living file, which covers seniors’ care, disability supports, and income assistance.
HON. RJ SIGURDSON → AFFORDABILITY AND UTILITIES: Sigurdson moves from Agriculture and Irrigation, where he has served as Minister since June 2023. First elected in 2019, he was the Parliamentary Secretary for EMS Reform under the Kenney government. The Affordability and Utilities portfolio is one of the government’s most politically exposed files. The Minister is responsible for electricity market reform, the renewables review, consumer rebates, and the nuclear energy mandate.
HON. ADRIANA LAGRANGE → HOSPITALS AND SURGICAL HEALTH SERVICES: LaGrange moves from primary care to the acute care half of the refocused health system following Matt Jones’s resignation. She has served as Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services since May 2025, was Minister of Health from June 2023 to May 2025, and held the Education portfolio from 2019 to 2023. Surgical wait times, hospital capacity, and the ongoing Alberta Health Services restructuring land on her desk. The assignment comes with a significant amount of public scrutiny on this file.
MLA JUSTIN WRIGHT → PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES: Wright, first elected in 2023, is the MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, was a non-cabinet member of Treasury Board, and served as Chief Government Whip since January 2026. He also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health and the Government’s Military Liaison. Before his time in politics, Wright operated a catering business and food truck, and managed retail operations.
TARA SAWYER → AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION: Sawyer is appointed to the agriculture portfolio less than a year into her first term as MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Sawyer was elected in the June 2025 byelection that replaced former Speaker Nathan Cooper after he was appointed as Alberta’s representative to the United States. Her background makes her well-suited for the role; she is a farmer in Acme, served as the inaugural chair of Alberta Grains after the 2023 merger of the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley, and in 2024, she became the first woman elected chair of the Grain Growers of Canada.
MLA BRANDON LUNTY → WHIP: Lunty, the Leduc-Beaumont MLA, assumes the Chief Government Whip role vacated by Justin Wright. A first-term MLA elected in 2023, Lunty previously worked as manager of intergovernmental relations with Alberta Education and spent seven years in intergovernmental relations within Alberta Seniors and Housing.
MLA SCOTT CYR → PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT: Cyr, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul, was first elected as a Wildrose MLA in 2015, stepping back in 2019 to spend more time with family and returning to the Legislature in 2023. Cyr studied management, accounting, and finance at the University of Lethbridge. The new Parliamentary Secretary role will support Minister Dreeshen’s transportation file.
Conclusion
This marks a targeted change in Premier Danielle Smith’s cabinet, with three-quarters of the cabinet positions remaining unchanged. The updated cabinet includes both experienced and newly appointed ministers. The Premier emphasized continuity, stating this cabinet will continue delivering on the priorities that matter most to Albertans, including growing the economy, strengthening front-line services, keeping communities safe, and supporting Alberta families.
In the coming week, Ministers will be briefed on their new portfolios, and we can expect to see staffing adjustments in Ministerial Offices.
Should you have any questions about the cabinet shuffle, reach out to our team.
