Jim Prentice, Stephen Mandel, Gordon Dirks, Mike Ellis sworn-in as MLAs

Premier Jim Prentice was sworn in as the MLA for Calgary-Foothills in a brief ceremony at the Alberta Legislature Monday morning. 

Education minister Gordon Dirks (Calgary-Elbow), Health Minister Stephen Mandel (Edmonton-Whitemud) and political rookie Mike Ellis (Calgary-West) were also sworn-in as the MLA by Lieut.-Gov. Donald Ethell. 

All four men were elected in the Oct. 27 byelections. 

Prentice was sworn in as premier in Sept.15 and appointed the then-unelected Dirks and Mandel to his cabinet. 

The Alberta legislature kicks off a brand-new session this afternoon with the speech from the throne.