Red Deer South MLA Cal Dallas is gearing up for his new role in the Progressive Conservative cabinet as Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations.

The Ministry of International and Intergovernmental Relations, previously known as the Ministry of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations is responsible for coordinating Alberta’s relationships with various levels of government in Canada and around the world.

Other responsibilities of the department include enhancing Alberta’s national and international presence in areas such as export development, investment attraction and governmental relations on behalf of Albertans.

Meanwhile, Premier Alison Redford said she was confident in the mix of new and experienced MLAs.

“This is a team that is committed to the positive, constructive plan that we put forward during the election campaign that will help to build Albertans’ future.”

Redford also said the new Cabinet will take the helm of a government structure that will target three priority areas — investing in families and communities, securing Alberta’s economic future and advancing world-leading resource stewardship.

Other structural shifts include moving seniors to the Ministry of Health, the consolidation of Sustainable Resource Development and Environment, and establishing Justice and Solicitor General under a single ministry.

Aboriginal relations will also have its own ministry, and the first priority is to finish the review of the First Nations Consultation Policy, said Redford.

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