Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen and his fellow former caucus dissidents have been passed over in the latest provincial cabinet shuffle.
Premier Greg Selinger unveiled a revamped cabinet on Tuesday. Among those excluded were Pettersen and former cabinet ministers Theresa Oswald, Andrew Swan, Stan Struthers, Jennifer Howard, Christine Melnick and Erin Selby.
“I have put in place a team of experienced and talented ministers who will build on our plan to stimulate our economy while protecting front-line services,” said Selinger.
The changes include Kerri Irvin-Ross as deputy premier, James Allum as education minister, Gord Mackintosh as justice minister and attorney general, and Thomas Nevakshonoff as minister of conservation and water stewardship.
Other changes have Thompson MLA Steve Ashton in as minister of infrastructure and transportation, his former role, and minister responsible for emergency measures. Drew Caldwell is minister responsible for relations with the City of Winnipeg, and Mohinder Saran is the minister of housing and community development.
Broker profiled
A trade magazine for the Canadian insurance industry has profiled a local broker.
The latest issue of Insurance People features a full-page Q and A with Brent Lethbridge.
The interview covers a range of topics, from Lethbridge’s musical interests (growing up he loved The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Steely Dan), favourite movies (Pulp Fiction, Snatch and Fargo) and favourite dessert (cinnamon buns).
Asked about an accomplishment that makes him proud, Lethbridge cited his chairmanship of the Flin Flon school board when the alternative high school Many Faces Education Centre opened.
“Hundreds of students graduated from that school,” he is quoted as saying. “They may not have finished otherwise.”
Goalie commits
Former Flin Flon Bombers goalie Andy Desautels has committed to the University of Regina Cougars for the upcoming season, Kelowna’s Capital News reports.
Desautels, 20, has spent the past two seasons with the BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors.
“It will be awesome to have my family and friends around again after being away from home since I was 16,” Desautels, who hails from White City, Saskatchewan, told Capital News.
Desautels played 25 games for the Bombers in 2011-12, posting 10 wins, 10 losses, one tie and a 3.64 goals-against average.
He spent the following season with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders before joining the Warriors.
Crime prevention
A new community safety officer (CSO) program is underway in Thompson with a focus on crime prevention and improving public safety.
Thompson plans to have the finished project in place, with eight safety officers ready, by mid June.
The CSO program is expected to enforce certain provincial laws, connect social service providers with those in need and maintain a visible presence in the community.
Thompson mayor Dennis Fenske hopes to see “downtown issues” addressed more effectively through the CSO program.
“Crime prevention is key for the RCMP,” said Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brosseau, commanding officer of the RCMP in Manitoba.
