Schulz resigns, Wright named party whip and Hunter takes over environment

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 2, 2026.

Premier Danielle Smith announced several changes to cabinet and caucus leadership on New Year’s Eve.

Among changes announced Wednesday is a new role for Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, who will become the Chief Government Whip for the United Conservative Caucus.

The changes were announced following the resignation of Minister of Environment and Protected Areas and Calgary-Shaw MLA Rebecca Schulz. Schulz announced her resignation in a letter shared to her social media Wednesday.

“I am proud of our team, the leadership of our Premier Danielle Smith, and our government,” she wrote. “However, timing is everything in life and in politics, and it is time for me to seek new opportunities in my career.”

Schulz’s resignation from her ministerial position is effective today. She will remain the MLA for Calgary-Shaw until May 2026.

Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner, will replace Schulz as Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

Hunter was previously the associate minister for Water and the Associate Minister for Red Tape Reduction.

Hunter and Wright will be sworn into their new positions Friday.

In a statement Wednesday, Smith offered her congratulations to Wright and Hunter and extended her thanks to Schulz for her six years of service.