Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen says there is more to his new role in the provincial government than many people realize following a cabinet shuffle August 1st. It was widely reported that Goertzen is the new Education Minister but he explains the portfolio also includes immigration and he was named Government House Leader. He says while the education portfolio is a lot to deal with, there is also quite a bit happening in immigration. Goertzen says changes in federal rules regarding language requirements for immigrants have led to a shift in where some of them are coming from and the skills they bring.

Kelvin Goertzen at the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony August 1."There has been a shift, perhaps, in the kinds of people who are applying and coming into Manitoba. So they're maybe coming with different skill sets which can benefit some industries but can be a detriment to others. For example, I know there are some companies that look for people who have woodworking skills and those are often concentrated in countries where we're not having as many people immigrate from because of some of the changes that have happened federally."

Meanwhile, Goertzen says the House Leader role is very time-consuming as he must quarterback what happens in the legislature in consultation with the other parties. He notes the post has just become more complicated with the Liberals gaining official party status, something that hasn't been the case for over 20 years. Goertzen explains that official party status gives the Liberals things like a certain amount of speaking time in the Legislature and a certain amount of time during Question Period to query the government.

"I've got my first meeting with Opposition House Leaders later this week and we'll be discussing, with the Clerk's office, the change now that happens now in the Legislature because you have three recognized parties. That hasn't happened since Sharon Carstairs was the leader of the Liberal Party. Now that they have four seats with the election of Dougald Lamont in the recent St. Boniface byelection, we have three official parties in the legislature and that will change the dynamic significantly."

Goertzen says he is enjoying the new challenge and looks forward to making positive changes.

The current Sitting of the Manitoba Legislature is scheduled to resume October 3rd.