Some MGEU members have a new boss today as Premier Greg Selinger announced a cabinet shuffle as well as the creation of a new children and youth opportunities department.

The newly appointed ministers are:
• Kevin Chief, minister of children and youth opportunities; and
• Ron Kostyshyn, minister of agriculture, food and rural initiatives.

The premier said the conservation and water stewardship departments will merge and that the other members of his cabinet team will maintain their current responsibilities.

The MLAs with new responsibilities are:
• Jennifer Howard, minister of family services and labour;
• Gord Mackintosh, minister of conservation and water stewardship;
• Christine Melnick, minister of immigration and multiculturalism; and
• Jim Rondeau, minister of healthy living, seniors and consumer affairs.

Selinger also announced the creation of a new Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet. He said the new committee will be tasked with co-coordinating key government priorities to “help meet the needs of Manitoba families and keep jobs and the economy growing.”