Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen is eager to take on his new role as Manitoba's Minister for Growth, Enterprise and Trade.

Cullen was one of a dozen MLA's named to the new and smaller cabinet.

“I'm humbled to be a part of the new cabinet and I look forward to getting down to work for Manitobans and delivering on campaign promises made during the election” said Cullen.

Cliff Cullen was elected as the MLA for Turtle Mountain in 2004 and re-elected in 2007. In 2011 and 2016, he was re-elected in the new constituency of Spruce Woods. Cullen earned a diploma in agriculture from the University of Manitoba and worked in the agricultural and environmental sectors, serving as president of the Manitoba Weed Supervisors Association and as provincial manager of the Association for a Clean Rural Environment.

“This department is new and is a pulling of several departments together. I see this particular portfolio as being about economic development. I think job creation and those type of things will be a key part of my work” said Cullen.

Cullen was asked because Brandon doesn't have a sitting cabinet minister does that mean he has to handle Brandon issues due to his proximity to Manitoba's second largest city. “Reg and Len are great people and will do a terrific job of representing the issues and concerns of Brandon. Spruce Woods constituency surrounds Brandon and a lot of my constituents do business in Brandon on a regular basis.”

Cullen went on to say the government realizes that Brandon is key to southwestern Manitoba.

A big challenge for Cullen is adjusting from opposition to sitting on government side of the legislature. He says it is something new and he looks forward to getting back into the Manitoba Legislature on May 16th for the throne speech.