
Hogan permanent health minister, with Davis taking Justice portfolio, in surprise cabinet shuffle
CBC
Eight Newfoundland and Labrador departments have switched ministers, in a surprise cabinet shuffle Friday afternoon by Premier Andrew Furey.
The premier called the shuffle a "positive sign" for the future of the province.
"It is important for all of us to reflect that despite the daily challenges, there is no place better positioned in Canada and arguably the world, than Newfoundland and Labrador," said Furey at Governement House on Friday afternoon, revealing his new cabinet. "And, ministers, it is your job to sell that vision to the rest of the world."
Former immigration minister Gerry Byrne is now the minister of fisheries, forestry and agriculture, as well as the minister responsible for the Public Procurement Agency.
Lisa Dempster leaves Indigenous Affairs and is now minister of environment and climate change, minister of Labrador affairs, labour minister, the minister responsible for Workplace N.L., and deputy government House leader.
Bernard Davis, formerly environment minister, is now the justice and public safety minister and the minister responsible for the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Office.
Former forestry minister Elvis Loveless is now minister of digital government and Service N.L. and the minister responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Sarah Stoodley is moving from Digital Government and Service N.L. to Immigration, Population Growth and Skills and is the minister responsible for francophone affairs.
Former infrastructure minister John Abbott is now housing minister and the minister of mental health and addictions.
John Hogan, named interim health and community services minister last week — a decision that drew backlash from critics who said Justice and Health were too much for one minister — now has the role permanently, and he remains attorney general and government House leader.
Furey said he always intended to make Hogan the full-time health minister but needed more time because of "logistical issues."
"Make no mistake, health continues to be the No. 1 priority for us, and for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Furey.
Former housing minister Fred Hutton is now minister of rural economic development and minister of transportation and Infrastructure.
Furey has added a new face to cabinet, with St. George's-Humber MHA Scott Reid now the minister responsible for Indigenous affairs and reconciliation.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange is alleging the former CEO of Alberta Health Services was unwilling and unable to implement the government's plan to break up the health authority, became "infatuated" with her internal investigation into private surgical contracts and made "incendiary and inaccurate allegations about political intrigue and impropriety" before she was fired in January.