Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod is looking forward to his new role in the provincial government cabinet as Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Senior and Rural and Remote Health. 

McLeod was named to the provincial cabinet during the premier’s cabinet shuffle last week. 

“Anytime the premier asks you to take responsibility for a file, it’s an incredible honour and I’m really looking forward to the challenge and working together with (Health) Minister (Everett) Hindley,” McLeod said. 

He said in his portfolio there is a focus on treatment and recovery for mental health and addictions. The government is looking at mental health initiatives and expanding treatment beds for mental health and addictions. 

For seniors, McLeod said the government is investing in affordability issues that seniors are facing. 

Meanwhile, for rural and remote health, McLeod said the Human Health Resource Action Plan is something that has directly benefitted Moose Jaw. 

“We've seen the addition of seven registered nurses, two medical lab technologists, one registered psychiatric nurse and one combined x-ray and lab tech. All of those positions were successfully recruited under that action plan,” McLeod said. 

McLeod became the first Moose Jaw MLA to hold a cabinet position since the Saskatchewan Pary formed government in 2007. He had previously been the Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary to the Premier. 

The last Moose Jaw MLA to hold a cabinet position was Deb Higgins as the Minister of Learning in 2006-2007 under the NDP government. 

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