Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister moved his health minister to a new portfolio as part of a cabinet shuffle announced on Tuesday. 

Cameron Friesen takes his oath of office as Manitoba's Justice Minister. Supplied.

Cameron Friesen was appointed as the new justice minister and attorney general and his former duties as health minister are being split in two. Former families minister Heather Stefanson becomes minister of health and seniors care while backbench M-L-A Audrey Gordon is the new minister for mental health, wellness and recovery.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cameron Friesen or he wouldn't be our new attorney general and justice minister," said Pallister. "As far as being the health minister over the past two-and-half years, that is probably a longer term for health minister than most in Canada. I can only say that Cameron Friesen took on the job without knowing COVID was on the horizon and I don't think there is a person in this province who would have wanted the job that he undertook to do as a leader in our health department over the last number of months."

Friesen said the new appointment is a little overwhelming but he's looking forward to his new responsibilities.

"I guess I would say I'm conflicted. It is with some sadness that I suddenly leave the role that I was assigned but I'm excited about becoming Manitoba's next attorney general and justice minister."

Friesen expects he'll be spending the next few weeks reading the contents of several briefing binders on his desk and getting to know the many stakeholders connected to the justice portfolio in Manitoba.

One of the issues his department will need to deal with in the coming months is the recommendations that were submitted to the province from an independent review of Manitoba's police services. Several municipalities in the Pembina Valley are interested in what the province has in store for policing services in the province moving forward.

"It's too soon to say when it comes down to some of the implications of that policing report. I know that some local communities are anxious to have a better knowledge of what comes next for them, and that's why we will do the work and we will engage with communities and I will certainly be picking up where Minister Cliff Cullen capably left off."

Kelvin Goertzen leaves his job as education minister to become the deputy premier and minister of legislative and public affairs. He retains his role as government house leader. 

Ralph Eichler has been appointed minister of economic development and jobs

Cliff Cullen is the new education minister and Rochelle Squires is the minister of families and minister responsible for francophone affairs.

In addition to Audrey Gordon, there were a few other new additions to the cabinet team. Wayne Ewasko becomes minister of advanced education, skills and immigration and Derek Johnson takes over as the new minister of municipal relations.

Ministers whose portfolio responsibilities have not changed include:

• Blaine Pedersen – minister of agriculture and resource development;

• Eileen Clarke – minister of Indigenous and northern relations;

• Cathy Cox – minister of sports, culture and heritage;

• Scott Fielding – minister of finance;

• Jeff Wharton – minister of Crown services;

• Reg Helwer – minister of central services; and

• Sarah Guillemard – minister of conservation and climate.