LETHBRIDGE, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Premier Danielle Smith to pick a smaller cabinet to make her government more efficient and save taxpayers’ money.

“Albertans don’t need a big, bloated cabinet to run things out of Edmonton,” said Kris Sims, Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Smith should take a page out of former premier Ralph Klein’s book and cut the size of cabinet.”

Smith’s UCP government was re-elected to a majority government on Monday, with some cabinet ministers retiring or losing seats in the legislature.

Smith now needs to select a new cabinet.

The UCP government currently has 25 cabinet ministers.

In 1992, Klein reduced the provincial cabinet from 26 to 17 after he was elected to replace former premier Don Getty.

Alberta cabinet ministers are paid $181,404 per year.

Former premier Rachel Notley’s cabinet had 22 members when she was voted out in 2019.

“Surely this UCP government can save taxpayers’ money and put together a smaller cabinet than the NDP,” said Sims. “Albertans are hardworking and frugal and it would be good to see those qualities reflected in a leaner cabinet.