Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen will remain Finance Minister after Premier Brian Pallister's cabinet shuffle this week.

"This is routine in a government, there are no guarantees," Friesen says. "And this week the Premier renewed me in that role."

However, the job hasn't come without its challenges. Friesen notes they've inherited a deficit of over $900 million and debt services charges approaching $1 billion.

"I've been thrilled, honoured and, at times, challenged to have the role that I do. But I appreciate so much the confidence the Premier has placed in me and us as a group," Friesen says. "We do this as a team."

"We've got our work cut out for us," he says, adding they've made some tough decisions to put Manitoba on a path to sustainability.

"That's the mandate that Manitobans gave us," Friesen says. "And we're so honoured to have the opportunity to serve our province in this way."

In the coming weeks Friesen will be providing an update on the 2016/17 fiscal year and releasing public accounts.

"Manitobans have been genuinely curious about the work we've been undertaking to fix the finances, and we're looking forward to the opportunity next month to inform Manitobans on how we've been doing on their behalf," he says, at which time government will further reveal how they hope to reduce the deficit while making investments into education, healthcare and infrastructure "and other key areas."

Friesen also retains the roles of Minister responsible for the Civil Service, Chair of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Central Services.

Kelvin Goertzen will stay on as Health Minister and Ian Wishart will remain with the Education and Training portfolio.

Other changes included Midland MLA Blaine Pedersen moving to Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade and Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen taking over as Crown Services Minister and Government House Leader.

Pallister also announced the restructuring of one department into two.

The existing Indigenous and Municipal Relations department will be split into Indigenous and Northern Relations and Municipal Relations with Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke leading the former and Gimli MLA Jeff Wharton helming the latter.

The overall size of the Cabinet remains the same as well, something the Premier says reflects the ongoing effort to set a tone at the top in respecting the use of public resources of Manitobans.