Alberta's new deputy premier is defending Premier Alison Redford's cabinet choices after a major shuffle was announced Friday evening.

Dave Hancock will leave his position as minister of human services and take over from outgoing deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk.

A full list of changes is available here:

Despite all the changes, the ministers of Health, Education and Justice remain the same – a decision opposition parties have criticized.

New Deputy Premier Hancock, however, defended the decision to keep Fred Horne, Jeff Johnston and Jonathan Denis, respectively, in place.

“We've got best health minister in North America, [the] best finance minister ... Two solid portfolios – Fred Horne knows his portfolio, there's a lot of work that he's in the midst of … and I think you've got the best person there right now.”

Replacing Hancock as Minister of Human Services is Manmeet Bhullar, the MLA for Calgary-Greenway.

Shuffle is sign of changes to come, says analyst

Duane Bratt, the head of policy studies at Mount Royal University, told CBC News the cabinet shuffle is a complete reset for Redford's government.

He said Calgary MLA Ric McIver was one of the biggest winners out of the shuffle, moving to Infrastructure after having reached a deal on the southwest ring road in Calgary.

Bratt also believes Doug Griffiths removal from Municipal Affairs is significant, arguing Griffiths created a lot of hard feelings with the mayors of Calgary and Edmonton.

He said moving Ken Hughes into the position may help smooth things out.

“I think it's a very important thing and critical to the next election for the PC government. They have to win the cities and I think this is one evidence of that.”