Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has filled an empty spot in his cabinet.

Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton has been appointed to also oversee Crown services.

The former minister, Colleen Mayer, was defeated in the provincial election in the St. Vital riding by the NDP's Jamie Moses.

Wharton is the MLA for Red River North. Crown services oversee organizations such as Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Public Insurance.

"As the minister for Crown services, Jeff Wharton will continue to build upon the work of improving the performance of our Crown corporations as they provide important services to Manitobans," Pallister says in a news release.

Pallister says a larger cabinet shuffle could be in the works.

MLAs were sworn in earlier this week and the Manitoba legislature resumes on Monday, September 30.