MLA Grant Hunter bringing experience and expertise to new cabinet roles

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Just over a week into his newly appointed roles, as Associate Minister of Water and Chief Government Whip, Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter is getting down to work in his new cabinet positions. 

Following the conclusion of the spring sitting of the legislature on May 15, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made changes to her cabinet and caucus leadership, that included promoting Hunter to new cabinet roles. 

Now in his third term as MLA, Hunter has been in cabinet previously for two and a half years, when he was appointed the Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction in 2019. He recently spoke about his new roles with the Sunny South News, and said the position of Chief Government Whip requires building relationship with trust with his colleagues, while working in collaboration to build a better, stronger Alberta.  

“I see that role (of Chief Government Whip) as being I would say, probably the biggest cheerleader of our hard working cabinet ministers and premier and MLA’s and that’s what I want to do,” said Hunter. “I want to be able to help them feel like someone’s got their back. We’ve got a great organization that’s willing to work together to build a strong Alberta for our children and grandchildren … that’s what I hope we’re going to be able to do with the Chief Government Whip role.” 

The Associate Minister of Water is a newly created position in cabinet, noted Hunter, that falls under the Environment and Protected Areas portfolio, which is overseen by Minister Rebecca Schulz. 

 Hunter noted that Schulz had previously designated him chair of a task force that studied invasive aquatic species and as associate minister, he will work on helping to form an understanding about the future needs the province has in terms of conveyance. 

“Water is so important and it will be even more important as we go forward,” he said. “I think the premier recognizes that and so I think she has put me in that role as I have a lot of experience in southern Alberta. We need to convey water to very dry areas and we grow some phenomenal specialty crops down here because we do it so well.” 

Hunter also looks forward to helping set up the province for the future, to ensure those water needs are met. 

“We have a lot of water in this province – have (we) got a strategy to make sure that we’re using it and utilizing it properly,” said Hunter.