SaskatchewanSaskatchewan’s Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety got a new name in Thursday’s cabinet shuffle. It is now called the Ministry of Community Safety, and has a new minister at its head: Michael Weger.5 new ministers join cabinet as 4 others leaveHannah Spray · CBC News · Posted: Dec 11, 2025 4:16 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Michael Weger, right, is sworn in as the new minister of community safety on Thursday in Regina. (CBC News)Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety got a new name in conjunction with Thursday’s cabinet shuffle.It is now called the Ministry of Community Safety, and has a new minister at its head: Michael Weger.He takes over that ministry, as well as responsibility for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, from Tim McLeod, who will stay in cabinet as justice minister.The public safety agency has been the subject of criticism this year over its handling of the wildfire season, including by one of its own fire supervisors who said he became so frustrated that he quit.But Premier Scott Moe said McLeod has served “extremely competently” and the change is about balancing the workload.”It’s an extremely large workload when you look at all of the files that [McLeod] has had over the period of the last year, in addition to being house leader as well,” Moe told reporters.Moe said the change in name for the ministry is about expanding the focus from enforcement.”It will be about ensuring that our communities are safe and ensuring that there are not, you know, people that all too often are struggling with addictions and maybe entering a life of crime, that they are, you know, on the proper path.”At a media event in Saskatoon Thursday criticizing the government’s handling of finances, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck was asked about her thoughts on the cabinet shuffle.She said she’s not too concerned with the internal workings of the cabinet, as she’s more concerned about “actually delivering” on health care, affordability and financial management.”He can shuffle cabinet chairs on the Titanic all he wants, but the reality is, after 18 years, this is a government that is out of ideas,” Beck said. “Their terrible decisions and planning are coming home to roost.”Darlene Rowden is sworn in as the new minister of environment in Regina on Thursday. (CBC News)In addition to Weger in community safety, there are four other new faces in cabinet:Chris Beaudry, minister of energy and resources.Darlene Rowden, minister of environment.Kim Gartner, minister of highways.Sean Wilson, minister of SaskBuilds and procurement.Three people are leaving cabinet: Travis Keisig (former minister of environment), Daryl Harrison (former minister of agriculture) and Colleen Young (former minister of energy and resources).Four other ministers who are staying in cabinet are taking on different responsibilities:David Marit, moving from highways to agriculture.Ken Cheveldayoff, stays as minister of advanced education and adds labour relations.Eric Schmalz, stays as minister of government relations and adds immigration and career training.Warren Kaeding, stays as minister of trade and adds Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.Eight ministers remain in their portfolios, including McLeod in justice (minus the safety portfolio) and the following:Jeremy Cockrill in health.Lori Carr in mental health and addictions.Everett Hindley in education. Terry Jenson in social services.Alana Ross in parks, culture and sport (minus Sask. Liquor and Gaming).Jeremy Harrison as the minister responsible for Crown Investment Corporation, Public Service Commission, and Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation.Jim Reiter stays as the deputy premier and finance minister (but loses the immigration and labour relations portfolios).The five new ministers were all first elected in 2024, but now have more than a year of experience as MLAs, Moe said.”With this particular shuffle … we want to continue to bring people into cabinet, but then also have that broader experience across the governing caucus, which I think is good for the decisions that the governing caucus ultimately has to make.”ABOUT THE AUTHORHannah Spray is a reporter and editor for CBC Saskatoon. She began her journalism career in newspapers, first in her hometown of Meadow Lake, Sask., moving on to Fort St. John, B.C., and then to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
Cabinet shuffle includes new minister for renamed Sask. community safety ministry
