Edmonton: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on Premier Stelmach to follow Ralph Klein's lead by reducing the size of his new cabinet to 17 members

In 1992, then newly-minted Premier Ralph Klein set the tone for fiscal responsibility in government when he reduced the size of his new cabinet from Don Getty's 27 down to 17. Since then the cabinet has continued to grow, now up to 25 members.

Stelmach also made a promise during the leadership race to reduce the size of his cabinet, stating:

I believe that a smaller Cabinet executive that focused on the priorities of building a stronger Alberta, managing growth, and improving the quality of life is more effective in meeting the immediate challenges facing the province.
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"This will be Premier Stelmach's first real test of leadership," said CTF-Alberta director Scott Hennig. "If he only reduces his cabinet to 23, 22, or even 21 members, it will be seen as a broken election promise and a failure by Premier Stelmach to control his caucus, cabinet and government."

With spending soaring by 47 per cent over the past four years, the next government needs to get spending under control.

"A smaller cabinet should also help keep government spending in check," continued Hennig. "As Klein's cabinet grew, so did their spending."

Backgrounder:

Premier Klein's 1992 Cabinet
Premier
Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister of Public Works, Supplies and Services
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Provincial Treasurer
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
Minister of Health
Minister of Transportation and Utilities
Minister of Energy
Minister of Justice
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Minister of Family and Social Services
Minister of Education
Minister of Environmental Protection
Minister of Advanced Education and Career Development
Minister of Labour
Minister of Community Development

Potential options for reducing the size of cabinet include:

- Rolling International and Intergovernmental Relations into Executive Council;
- Merging Government Services with Restructuring and Government Efficiency;
- Re-combining Education and Advanced Education to re-form the Ministry of Learning;
- Combining Sustainable Resource Development with Environment,
- Eliminating the Associate Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation,
- Re-combining Solicitor General and Public Security and Justice.