PEI

Cabinet shuffle expected Friday, adding Charlottetown MLA Natalie Jameson

It's expected she will be named minister of environment, water and climate change. That portfolio is currently held by Brad Trivers.

A swearing-in ceremony is planned for Friday morning

Natalie Jameson celebrates with P.E.I. Premier Dennis King following her election in July 2019. King is expected to add Jameson into cabinet during a ceremony on Friday, CBC News has learned. (Brian McInnis/CBC)

Premier Dennis King is expected to add Natalie Jameson, MLA for Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park, to his cabinet Friday, CBC News has learned.

It's expected she will be named minister of environment, water and climate change. That portfolio is currently held by Brad Trivers.

Trivers will stay in cabinet. He will maintain his job as minister of education and lifelong learning. 

Jameson will also be named as the minister responsible for Charlottetown as well as minister responsible for the status of women, removing that work from James Aylward and Darlene Compton respectively.

This will bring King's cabinet to 10-members. That means only three MLAs from his caucus are not cabinet ministers.

Swearing-in planned for Friday

Jameson was elected in the deferred election held on July 15, 2019. She currently serves on the special committee on poverty.

One of Jameson's first tasks will be proclamation of the Water Act.

Premier Dennis King is expected to be back before Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry on Friday. King is expected to bring Natalie Jameson into cabinet as minister of environment, water and climate change. (Brian McInnis/CBC)

Last month, current Environment Minister Brad Trivers said when the act is proclaimed it will likely include a continued moratorium on high-capacity wells. That is expected this spring. 

King introduced his first cabinet less than a year ago, during a ceremony in Georgetown, P.E.I., on May 9, 2019. 

Shortly after last year's election, where King's party was handed a minority government, the incoming premier suggested a mixed-party cabinet was possible, but in the end he opted for an all-PC cabinet.

A swearing-in ceremony is planned for Friday morning at the lieutenant-governor's residence.

More from CBC P.E.I.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wayne Thibodeau is a reporter with CBC Prince Edward Island. He has worked in digital, radio, TV and newspapers for more than two decades. In addition to his role as a multi-platform journalist for CBC News, Wayne can be heard reading the news on The World This Hour, co-hosting Island Morning and reporting for CBC News: Compass. You can reach Wayne at Wayne.Thibodeau@cbc.ca