The recent appointment of local MLA Jeff Johnson as Alberta’s new minister of infrastructure makes sense on a lot of levels.
New premier Alison Redford did promise to bring the fresh face of change to her cabinet. Johnson joins nine other first-term MLAs in the group of 20, so new blood has certainly been infused.
Redford is demonstrating her belief that Johnson works hard for his constituents, so the new premier no doubt believes he will bring the same work ethic to a new position that will broaden his influence.
Perhaps another motivation on Redford’s part was to provide a boost to Johnson’s candidacy in the inevitable next provincial election. With the Wildrose party gaining support and their local candidate (Travis Olson) building his profile, it can’t hurt to give local voters another reason to choose Johnson as their best choice of representation in Edmonton. Will local voters want to replace an MLA so recently added to the ‘inner circle’ of the new premier?
Premier Redford no doubt thought long and hard before appointing our MLA.
