Stephen Harper’s new cabinet features new blood, more women and maintains economic team
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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled a new and larger ministerial team Monday that injects new blood and more women into cabinet while maintaining his economic team.
Harper first announced his new cabinet Monday morning on his official Twitter account, tweeting that he’s “proud to be naming four new strong, capable women” and eight new faces to the ministry.
“These changes to the ministry feature both younger members of Parliament ready for new opportunities, and steady hands that will continue to deliver strong leadership in key portfolios. In particular, I am proud to welcome four new strong and capable women to the cabinet table,” Harper said in a statement.
Harper’s new cabinet, officially unveiled Monday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, grows in size by a couple of portfolios to 39 ministers (including the prime minister).
As expected, Harper’s key economic ministers are staying in their posts, including: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, International Trade Minister Ed Fast, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver and Treasury Board president Tony Clement.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird also remains in his portfolio, but there are also several major changes in what was a huge shakeup to the front bench.
James Moore received what observers believe was an overdue promotion, and becomes the new Industry minister, after moving over from Heritage, while Rona Ambrose will be the new Health minister after previously serving in Public Works.
Steven Blaney also received a big promotion to minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, taking over from Vic Toews, who retired from politics.
Leona Aglukkaq is the new minister of Environment along with minister for the Arctic Council. She takes over in Environment from Peter Kent, who was booted from cabinet.
A number of new women were appointed to Harper’s cabinet, including Shelly Glover as new minister of Heritage, Kellie Leitch the new minister of Labour, Michelle Rempel as minister of state (Western Economic Diversification), and Candice Bergen as minister of state (Social Development).
Rob Nicholson is the new Defence minister, swapping spots with Peter MacKay, who takes over as Justice minister.
Jason Kenney, formerly the Immigration minister, is now minister of Employment and Social Development (formerly HRSDC), taking over for Diane Finley, who moves to Public Works.
Chris Alexander, formerly a parliamentary secretary, takes over from Kenney as minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Christian Paradis, formerly at Industry, moves over to be minister of International Development and minister for La Francophonie, in what will be viewed as a demotion for a key Quebec lieutenant for the Harper government.
Lisa Raitt moves to Transport from Labour, taking over part of the duties of Denis Lebel, who is now minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Other familiar faces staying in their portfolios, include Peter Van Loan as leader of the government in the House of Commons, and Gerry Ritz as minister of Agriculture.