Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson was one of eight fresh faces to join Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet Monday.
As minister of state for finance, Sorenson takes over the post from fellow Albertan Ted Menzies, who earlier this month announced he would not seek re-election in 2015.
Sorenson joins a cabinet featuring four other Alberta MPs, along with Harper. That group includes Michelle Rempel, who is also new to cabinet, and Jason Kenney, Rona Ambrose and Tim Uppal.
Rempel is minister of state for Western economic diversification. Kenney is minister of employment and social development.
Ambrose is minister of health and Uppal is minister of state for multiculturalism.
Sorenson, 54, was first elected in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011.
Currently, he’s the chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
Sorenson has previously chaired the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. He was also vice chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Prior to being elected, Sorenson owned and operated his family farm near Killam and a small auction company.
Sorenson’s posting marks the first time Central Alberta has been represented in a Harper cabinet.
— Black Press