EDMONTON, Alta. — With the arrival of Premier Ed Stelmach as the new face and head of the Alberta government, came a number of changes to the provinces cabinet, including the infrastructure and transportation portfolio.

Luke Ouellette, MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, was sworn as Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation on Dec. 15, after serving as the Minister of Restructuring and Government Efficiency for the past two years.

Ouellette was elected to his first term in the provincial government in March 2001. Previously, he served as co-vice chair on Climate Change Central, co-chair of MLA Steering Committee on Rural Development Initiative, a member of standing committees on Private Bills and Public Accounts, a member of the MLA Review of Ambulance Service and the Standing Policy Committee on Energy and Sustainable Development.

Ouellette is a born and raised Albertan who has owned a number of small businesses and worked as an oil field consultant. In 1991 Ouellette, along with his wife Jayne, bought the Sandy Cove Beach Resort in Pine Lake and currently reside in the community.

Ouellette has replaced Ty Lund, MLA for Rocky Mountain House, under the new look government.

Lund was serving as the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, following a fallout between former Premier Ralph Klein and Lyle Oberg, MLA for Strathmore-Brooks, which saw the MLA booted from cabinet.

After an unsuccessful campaign to become the provinces 13th premier, Oberg has returned to the cabinet as Minister of Finance.

Oberg and Ouellette are among nine provincial politicians who are returning to the cabinet under Stelmach. Under Stelmach, the new cabinet is now smaller and includes nine new cabinet members.

Stelmach’s cabinet is reduced in size from 24 to 18 ministers. The premier said he expects cabinet members will come together as a coordinated, productive team governing with integrity and transparency. The team’s additional priorities will be to manage growth pressures, improve Albertans’ quality of life, build a stronger Alberta, and provide safe and secure communities.

“This talented team of experienced and new members has strong representation from across the province,” said Stelmach. “We’ll be getting down to work immediately to ensure we deliver solid results in the areas that matter most to Albertans.”