New cabinet aimed at stability but includes new faces

The 39-member cabinet formed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper equals the largest in Canadian history, and features a number of new faces, and a few comebacks.

Power Play: John Baird, minister

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird Canada discusses the priorities that come with his new cabinet position, and explains how there is a link between diplomatic relations and jobs that will ultimately benefit Canadians.

Power Play: Joe Oliver, minister

Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver says he was very pleased to learn Prime Minsiter Stephen Harper felt confident in giving him the position, and explains how he has much experience in business in both the private and public sectors.

CTV News Channel: Stephen Harper speaks

Following his cabinet unveiling in Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there are promising new ministers and veterans that will maintain stability in Canada. Harper says his MPs will 'hit the ground running'.

CTV News Channel: Harper takes questions

Prime Minister Stephen Harper answers questions from the media, saying he did not want to make too many additional changes to his cabinet unless he had to.

CTV News Channel: Three new senators appointed

Defeated Conservatives Larry Smith from Quebec, Fabian Manning from Newfoundland and Josee Verner from Quebec have been appointed to the Senate.

CTV News Channel: Daniele Hamamdjian explains

Peter MacKay and Rob Nicholson appeared quite content going into the ceremony, but James Moore had a grim look on his face.

CTV News Channel: Panel weighs in on new cabinet

Walter Robinson, Steve Moran and Sheila Gervais discuss new appointments and representation including the appointment of Joe Oliver, which sends the message that the Tories have broken through fortress Toronto.

CTV News Channel: New ministers unveiled

Prime Minister unveils his new majority government cabinet ministers, including Maxime Bernier, Alice Wong and Tim Uppal.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part one

Rob Nicholson is sworn in as Justice Minister and Attorney General, Peter MacKay is sworn in as Minister of National Defence and Vic Teows is sworn in as Minister of Public Safety -- all posts they currently hold.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part two

Diane Finley is sworn in as Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Jim Flaherty as Minister of Finance, Jason Kenney as Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Gerry Ritz as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, James Moore as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Peter Kent as Minister of Environment.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part three

Lisa Raitt is sworn in as Minister of Labour, Rona Ambrose sworn in as Minister of Public Works and Government Services, John Baird as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tony Clement is sworn in a President of the Treasury Board.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part four

Peter Van Loan sworn in as Government House Leader, Christian Paradis as Minister of Industry and Minister of State for Agriculture, Leona Aglukkaq sworn in as Minister of Health and Keith Ashfield as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Atlantic Gateway.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part five

Gail Shea sworn in as Minister of National Revenue, John Duncan sworn in as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Denis Lebel as Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Julian Fantino as Associate Minister of National Defence.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part six

Steve Blaney is sworn in as Minister of Veteran Affairs, Ed Fast sworn in as International Trade Minister, Joe Oliver as Minister of Natural Resources and Peter Penashue as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part seven

Gordon O'Connor is sworn in as Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, Diane Ablonczy as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Lynne Yelich as Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, Gary Goodyear sworn in as Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ted Menzies for minister of State for Finance.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part eight

Steven Fletcher sworn inn as Minister of State for Transport, Bernard Valcourt as Minister of State, Maxime Bernier as Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism and Tim Uppal as Minister of State for Democratic Reform.

CTV News Channel: Ministers sworn in, part nine

Alice Wong is sworn in as Minister of State for Seniors and Bal Gosal as Minister of State for Sport.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird is sworn in by Clerk of the Privy council Wayne Wouters as Prime Minister Stephen Harper looks on, during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, May 18, 2011. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. May. 18 2011 9:22 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new cabinet includes several new faces and sees veteran ministers such as John Baird and Tony Clement promoted to new roles.

The cabinet is tied with Brian Mulroney's as the largest ever, with 39 members. Prior to the election Harper had 38 members in his cabinet.

When asked why he had put together such a large cabinet in a time of fiscal restraint, Harper said the goal was to utilize the skills of as many MPs as possible.

"It is increasingly a challenge to make full use of all the people I have in front of me," Harper told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall.

"I think it would be a mistake to try and have a smaller cabinet that would make less use of people but like I say, we try to deal with cost issues through slimming the budgets of the ministers' offices and we will continue to do that."

In the new cabinet Baird takes on the role of foreign affairs minister, promoted from his previous role as government house leader. He replaces Lawrence Cannon who lost his seat in the recent election.

Baird already faces a pressing issue in the portfolio: whether to extend Canada's mission in Libya, where it's helping to enforce a United Nations-mandated no-fly zone.

The mission was approved by the House of Commons on March 21 for three months.

"What I want to do is sit down with my officials in Foreign Affairs and International Trade, sit down and talk to (Defence Minister) Peter MacKay, and then talk to the opposition parties," he told Power Play.

Clement moves from the industry ministry to become president of the treasury board.

British Columbia MP Ed Fast becomes international trade minister -- a significant promotion for the backbench member known for a successful private member's bill that increased the maximum sentence for those convicted of luring children over the Internet.

Newly-elected Toronto MP Joe Oliver also experienced a meteoric rise, vaulted to the full cabinet posting of natural resources minister.

"I really felt tremendously proud," he told Power Play.

Peter Penashue, a newly-elected MP and the only Conservative member from Newfoundland and Labrador, takes on the powerful role of minister of intergovernmental affairs and the Privy Council.

Christian Paradis moves from secretary of state for agriculture to the industry portfolio.

Julian Fantino, former seniors minister, will shift to a position styled as associate minister of national defence -- essentially a junior minister to Defence Minister Peter MacKay.

Denis Lebel takes on the transport portfolio while Gail Shea, the lone Conservative MP from P.E.I., moves from fisheries to national revenue -- a slight demotion. Keith Ashfield shifts to the fisheries portfolio from national revenue.

Status quo

Meanwhile, many cabinet ministers in important roles are staying put, such as MacKay, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.

Maxime Bernier, one of only five Conservatives elected in Quebec, returns to cabinet after a three-year exile in a junior role as minister of state for small business and tourism.

Three years ago he resigned from his role as foreign affairs minister after leaving secret documents at his girlfriend's house.

Peter Van Loan follows in Baird's footsteps as government house leader.

James Moore continues as heritage minister, Lisa Raitt stays on as labour minister and Gerry Ritz continues in the agriculture portfolio.

Bev Oda will also stay on as minister of international co-operation and head of CIDA, despite recent controversy over the cancellation of millions of dollars in funding to aid agency KAIROS.

Jason Kenney -- whom many expected to be promoted -- stays on in the immigration portfolio but receives a significant promotion to become chair of the government operations committee -- one of the most powerful positions in government.

Rona Ambrose will continue as minister of public works and government services and the status of women, while Diane Finley stays on in the human resources portfolio.

Lisa Raitt stays on in the labour portfolio and John Duncan continues as aboriginal affairs and northern development minister.

Additional junior cabinet ministers

Tim Uppal becomes minister of state for democratic reform.
Alice Wong becomes minister of state for seniors.
Bal Gosal becomes minister of sport, succeeding Gary Lunn who lost his seat to Green party Leader Elizabeth May.
Bernard Valcourt becomes minister of state in charge of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities agency.
Gordon O'Connor is minister of state and chief government whip.
Diane Ablonczy is minister of state of foreign affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
Lynne Yelich is minister of state for Western economic diversification.
Steven Fletcher is minister of state for transport.
Gary Goodyear is minister of state for science and technology.
Ted Menzies is minister of state for finance.

Comments are now closed for this story

china
said

Wow, no WOW, now I understand how a Prime Minister held in contempt to his people gets a majority. WOW, very frightening, and I don't associate with any party, especially since they took the "Progressive" out of conservative.

George V.
said

Appointing 39 elected members as ministers and to give each one of these members a portfolio that is suited to their skills and interests, has to be a challenging task for the Prime Minister. One miss-step and the opposition parties are howling, They are howling now already in this "comment section" and on parliament hill, just hours after being appointed. If you want to beat a dog you can always find a stick. No matter what they do they will be critisized, they can stand on their heads in a corner and spit nickels,and the criticizm would be it should have been quarters.

overly pleased - Ottawa
said

Very very pleased to see that Bev Oda remains in her post. The insults from the opposition at the committee leaves a lot to be desired..so glad that many yapping their mouths off were defeated in the election. To hear Miss Davies on Power Play also having something to say about Ms. Oda..she should perhaps check her own backyard and mirror before she herself speaks..to call some of these Canadians MP's leaves a lot to be desired in many cases..hopefully when another Committee comes around it will be MP's with some class...

Frankie
said

Good luck to all. I hope you all will stand behind your promises. And don't do anything stupid. Please listen to all the people not just a few. Again good luck

Larry I ontario
said

Mr. harper has made some very bad choices. John Baid ....Mr. Bulldog, the man who always blames the last government? What is he thinking putting him in a key role like this? Clemment managing the money? Mr. G8 billion dollar waste? Mr. Van Loen govenment house leader...the man that gets along with no one? Very poor choices!

Irene
said

Unbelievable...John Baird as Foreign Minister??? I fear he will be more like Canada's bouncer rather than minister... there's not much about him that I can see useful in this position...but then again, he could have been appointed Defense Minister instead... (thank goodness for small favours)...

mark
said

So much for Harper being a conservative. I thought we were supposed to believe in LESS government, not more!

Brad in B.C.
said

@ True North - You are quite right. The sheep have no idea who most of these people are but want to cuddle them anyway. Partisanship again beats pragmatism. Critical thinking in world of sound bites is long dead. Sad really, very sad.

Steve min Vancouver
said

l am glad that Bev Oda has maintained her position in the government. She did an excellent job while standing up against a storm of abuse. She is a great lady. Her sunglasses are cool too.l will make a prediction. The Harper Conservative government will be in power for many years and the Conservative government will serve as the longest serving government in Canadian history and Harper will be the longest serving prime minister in Canadian history. Meantime all you old fart Liberals will just eventually drop away.

Citizen
said

I am very disappointed Mr. Alexander was left out of cabinet. As a former Ambassador to Afghanistan, and a position with the UN I would have thought him a prime candidate for Foreign Minister, or at the very least Minister of State for either Foreign Affairs or Defense. John Baird seems like the wrong choice for foreign affairs, it signals a new focus on foreign policy but he is more a fighter and better suited to domestic politics, then the gentle finesse of foreign policy. Tim Uppals appointment signals the government has no interest in democratic renewal. The way that guy won his nomination was a joke. Flaherty and McKay make a lot of sense. More women would have been nice as well.

Dano
said

Poor Iggy. If only he had said RISE UP a few more times he would be the one appointing a cabinet this morning.

Dave in Ottawa
said

Perhaps Bulldog Baird can take a leaf out of Trump's book and tell China where to go.Then we can all take Chinese lessons and forget bilingualism.Poor choice for a diplomatic post.

Mikey
said

Man, settle down all of you Fiberal and NDP loonies, you're going to get ulcers. Sit back and enjoy the ride, and don't go away mad just go away.

R McDonell
said

39-member cabinet! This is the key to less government? Yes, he's probably right - it's good to take advantage of the talents of as many people as possible, but that only reflects on the fact our house of commons is waaayy too big. You could cut 100 people out of there, and we'd be none the poorer (and we'd save a ton of money).

True North
said

How many of you bloggers are paid conservative party members or card carrying cons? These people have not even got their seats warm and you are singing them high praise. Usually a person has to work in the position awhile before you give them a performance appraisal. Wow, these people have a lot to live up to given the praise they have received.

RSSA in Edm
said

"Harper said the goal was to utilize the skills of as many MPs as possible." -- TRANSLATION: Even more taxpayer-funded partisan photo-ops with MPs reading prepared speeches and only regurgitating party lines when questioned.

Gerry L
said

When I read all these comments from Liberal supporters all I can think of is the old saying: "Look who is calling the pot black"

Efficient
said

How will a bigger cabinet save taxpayer money? Doesn't seem very efficient to me.

Cal in Ottawa
said

1. We should be glad the PM didn't have 200 sears (would we have 45 ministers?) since he has to make use of all the talent by putting MPs into cabinet...does it follow that those not in cabinet do not have useful talents? Does it hold that 3 of 5 Quebec MPs deserve to be in cabinet because of their talent? How does the PM know his rookie MP Oliver has such talent? Why a minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade and a minster for International Trade? Defence is so big it needs an Associate minister? (Perhaps to explain planes with no engines...) 3. Fact is cabinet formation is often about visibility, about being seen as politically balanced and correct, rather than about talent and capability.2. Why do we have so many ministers, getting paid lots of money, in so many silly posts? Minister for Seniors?

Bucko
said

The PM should sooner than later enroll the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the U of O if there is an opening in Public Relations 101 to enable him to divest himself of his Pit Bull image!!

Mark Vancouver
said

Harper's statement that the reason for such a large cabinet only re-enforces the fact that a back bencher is just seat warmer in the eyes of those in power. What holds back the government from utilizing the "smarts" of the elected members without putting them in cabinet and costing the Canadian taxpayer millions of dollars?? I understand the secrecy issue of cabinet business, but there is no reason to appoint so many people to high paying positions when you are already paying them to sit there.Waste of money !!!!

fed up
said

So he chose the trained seals to his new cabinet that will answer to Harper only and not talk to the press until they have gotten permission to do so by Harper. I feel sorry for Mr. Jack Layton because he will not be able to stop this man from introducing any laws he wants,also Harper can ignore the press and ignore the anyone that stands in his way. Jack Layton will be useless in the House Of Commons and that is to bad. Welcome to the new Canada folks and this will last four long years God help us all.

B in Ottawa
said

It's quite rich to listen to Liberals whine about the size of the new cabinet. It's almost the exact same size today as it was yesterday, and there were no complaints during the election from the opposition. I'd remind Liberals that Paul Martin's cabinet was around 40 ministers as well. This is completely normal. The Liberals and NDP are mad because they've been again put in opposition by Canadians. Too bad for them. The new cabinet is going to be one of Canada's best, designed for stability which Harper promised in the election. Canadians voted for stability, and stability we now have.

Peter
said

John Baird is ticking time bomb. You need a competent level headed person whom he is not. Not a loud mouth idiot yes man.

Colin Gee
said

Ah, Ottawa's political swamp! You can stir the water all you want to, but the scum keeps rising to the top.

TM
said

More of the same with a large over-inflated cabinet. Bev Oda doesn't deserve to stay on after the fiasco in her ministry. I wonder how long it will be before Maxime Bernier loses some important ministry files again ?

Mark
said

I had a good laugh with this one "the Conservative Party was the vanguard of saving taxpayer's money". For example they just purchased 1,300 smart bombs at $100K each. Does no one understand the word "Ephemeral"? These bombs are like the war planes are just money in the wind and the party just got started. Time to tie down your tuque because your wallet is already gone.

Elizabeth, Ontario
said

All good choices. I'm just thrilled that the Conservatives finally have a majority; policy changes can move forward; no more disruptions and distractions. All is good. Good luck to all new and returning cabinet ministers and MP`s.

Bernadette/ON, Great Job!!!
said

Congratulations to PM Harper and New Cabinet. Well thought out. Strong cabinet makes a strong government. Great Job! Keep up the excellent work for Canada and all Canadians...

Spin!
said

I can't wait to hear now the government spins larger government to their supporters. Not to worry though, they'll fall for it. They always do.

Dixie from Alberta
said

Good to see Tim Uppal being promoted. Congratulations.

trunorth
said

Although I have been a strong supporter of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I am very disappointed that he has chosen to appoint such a large cabinet. I guess he's trying to reward those members and ridings that supported him and his party, but I also believed that the Conservative Party was the vanguard of saving taxpayer's money. How about it , Stephen?

Catwoman 38
said

What a night mare to put a bulldog into a high diplomatic position, they shoud have put Baird back into the treasury board.They should have chosen Peter Kent for Foreign Affairs because he was already working on some of Canada's international relations.

eyesclosed
said

The "conservative" ideal of small government starts with a big cabinet.

Ross from Whitby ON
said

BTW - A lot of people here refer to the next four years. May I remind everyone that Section 4 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says that a government has a maximum term of FIVE years. I guess that we just forget that when we've been having them every 24 months!

Just Heard - Ottawa
said

Oh my just heard Don Boudria former Liberal just say that the 34 left over Liberals are the ones that have done 95% of the talking so no problem with them being 3rd party in the House of Commons..can hardly wait for Question Period to start and see if what I am hearing is correct...I doubt that very much. Also he commented about not being enough "french" speaking in the new cabinet and he should have awarded more in the Province of Quebec...huh!! there were only 5 nominated in Quebec and he did not abandon this Province...seems to think that the Press in Quebec will see it different.. he did give representation in Quebec but did not forget the rest of "Canada" after all it's not only about Quebec...vote for the NDP and this is all you get...

John - a progressive conservative
said

You have an unfettered hand with which to govern now. Why is it that the first thing you have done with this vote of confidence from your taxpaying public is to make your government larger and more expensive by tieing Mulroney for the largest number of cabinet ministers in Cdn history? The concept of smaller government means less not more so why foster a bigger bureaucracy by having more ministers and ministers of state? The Government does not exist for you to profer favours on your people Mr. P.M., by rewarding them with excesses of taxpayer dollars for phony baloney cabinet posts that never existed before and are not essential now. How does one find 11 billion dollars of "efficiencies" by spending massively on more cabinet salaries?

BB
said

I didn't vote Conservative but I am hopeful that this new cabinet will do a good job and move the country forward.

Susan Dykhuis
said

Even though I did not vote for Conservative Party, I am delighted with MP Peter Penashue's appointment -- the first Labador Innu to be given a federal cabinet post.
Growing up in Sept-Iles, Qc I learned to appreciate and support First Nations Peoples' in the quest to be a major player in the development of Canada as we go forward in this century.

Let this begin:
"In our every deliberation,
we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."
Iroquois Confederacy Maxim

MARG MM
said

Well, the Harper Haters haven't changed their tune have they? Why not give the Government the benefit of the doubt, rather than always whining and complaining? It is much healthier to think positively, than to always have a "half empty glass". Try it sometime, you might be pleasantly surprised. There will be another election in 4-5 years, and if the Government doesn't preform as Canadians want them to, they will get their voice then. Meanwhile, sit back and relax, the sky is NOT going to fall.

Joe
said

Outstanding! Good luck....

Jim in Ottawa
said

This is an excellent assembly combining experience and regional representation. I believe the time has arrived for all Canadians to put their differences aside and support the ministers selected to our new federal cabinet.

GHW
said

I think John Baird is perfect for this position. We need a smart tough minded negotiator in this new world order we live in. Baird knows what he is doing. As for the LPCs new marginalized status, they brought it on themselves. Let us hope we have seen the last of their global vision of leftist purity and let us also hope we can successfully repair the damage they have done already. With our diverse culture let us rally around a government of individual freedoms, liberty and balanced policies providing basic services to the public and leave ideology to our kitchen tables. Liberty rules, government serves.

Ian
said

Hmmmmmm. Let the fun begin. I also question the rationale in John Baird and his new role and what impact or implosion this may have over time. Not to worry, Cabinet can be shuffled when the Prime Minister sneezes so it may come down to damage control. Although not a Conservative supporter, I agree that the next four years will either make or break the government particularly as they have a majority and to a large extent can steamroll their way through. We still have a recession that is lingering and a debt that continues to climb and that MUST be taken care of or as "TheOtherLowellInBC" says, history is not on the side of the Conservatives. Stay tuned.

Melanie Fox
said

It is a nice line up I hope they do a good job.

Ian torrie
said

John Baird is more than capable in his new Cabinet Post. I think many will be surprised at how well he will do in this post.

Anne Ottawa
said

well one thing is for sure, Harper is a smart, strategic man and I am sure the postings have been well thought out. I don't think Baird is so odd as Foreign Affairs, maybe it is a matter of putting someone in, perhaps not quite as diplomatic as Cannon (who I confess seemed to be a lovely, well mannered and diplomatic man) not letting us get pushed around by the good old USA? Baird is a good loyal and competent MP, I think he will do a good job. keeping McKay in defense was probably a good idea too. I am just glad they have a majority now.

Roy
said

Bev Oda still in the cabinet? Apparently no lessons learned and incompetency is rewarded.

Owen Prince
said

I wish people would stop knocking Baird when they do not know the facts. He was voted the most liked MP by all other members. He has also worked out more problems than any other member. Question Period is solely theatre.

John Lethbridge
said

I think you will see a very different John Baird and Stephen Harper in this government, leaders who don't have to be in defense and campaign mode 24/7. They have four years of breathing room. John Baird is exceptionally capable, and will do this government and country good.

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

Paul Kitchener. It cuts both ways. The number of abusive comments, conservative supporters were flinging around, and still doing so even though the liberal party are vastly dimished shows some hypocrisy. Ignatieff is gone, working in Canada I might add and not moving back to the USA as so many people argued. Just another lie from the not so honourable party. I am willing to give Harper the benefit of the doubt for the next four years. But history is not on his side as far as conservative governments go.

Dean in Abby
said

Glad to see our guy Ed Fast get a decent posting. Nice to see Western representation. Good on you Ed!

Dinsdale Pirahna - Oshawa
said

One way Tony Clement can generate more income is to place ads in the gazebos and new washrooms in his riding. Even flower beds can be "arranged" to spell words. A dollar earned is a dollar saved. Just a suggestion.

Hard to Get Over - Ottawa
said

Appears that some Liberals complain about pointing the finger when in fact they are doing it back to other parties..all can remember the Gun Registry the Liberals claimed to cost $2 million to set up but in actual fact it was 500 times the amount according to the Auditor General Sheila Fraser..she also found that back in 2003 the preparedness on "living standards for the natives and terror attacks was needed and "not" done by the Liberals. The Sponsorship Scandal showed little evidence of "value" for money spent which showed little regard for parliament and the Canadian people, the Financial Administration Act, regulations, transparency and value for sponsorship money disappearing..and to think that this same Liberal Party brought down the Conservatives on "contempt" one begs to differ and can hardly wait to see the Conservative Party prove them wrong...the Liberals "lost" in more ways then one for thinking they are smarter ..and yep it backfired... - "contempt" lies with this Liberal Party for some time now and canadians noticed this also...

Whither Canada
said

@ Prof Pye - I heard the same thing but the position Iggy wanted was Prime Minister.

AJ in BC
said

Don't you just love the whine of all the left leaning Socialists and their fellow travelers? As long as they keep looking for skeletons in the closet the Tories can get on with the business of government. maybe that's why the people didn't entrust them with real responsibility.

Jake in Burlington
said

Harper's dreamteam! Proud to be Canadian with the best Prime Minister ever. Huge fan!

Don K
said

People seem to be making a big deal out of which people from which province will get a cabinet position. The average Canadian (in fact, probably about 95% of Canadians) honestly don't care WHERE cabinet ministers come from and can barely name them or the positions they hold so all this "good luck on getting re-elected if you don't appoint people from BC or Ontario" bs a moot point to be honest (and I'm not saying this because I favour any party at the moment).

CraigW
said

It didn't take long for the U.S. to let Harper to know who to appoint.

Amused
said

Putting Canada's biggest loud-mouth in that position should be interesting but let's wait and see. If this turns out to be an epic fail I'll be curious to see who the Conservative Majority will blame. Hope the Conservative cheerleaders are on standby to provide distraction and point fingers at the Liberals and remind us, yet again, of the ancient Adscam!

Alan
said

I am sure Mr Harper will acknowledge the gains in Toronto in cabinet placements. Obviously this is an opportunity to truly create a footprint in the 905 GTA. Of course looming in the background is Mr McGuinty and the Ontario fall elections so the Conservative profile is doubly important here.

Bob,Calgary
said

I've always wondered about Baird. Harper seems to have a real soft spot for him. He gives him the plum jobs and he gets him to squire Laureen around to social events. However I'm not sure putting him in Foreign Affairs is a good decision. He seems a bit of a blowhard to me and doesn't seem to have a lot of diplomacy skills but time will tell. I am very pleased to see Maxime Bernier coming back and hope he gets a key portfolio. (Treasury board??) Maxime has the proper view of government i.e. less of it. This is exactly what Canada needs .: much less Federal government butting into our lives and making a mess of everything they touch. In any case, Harper is a prudent man and will take a go slow approach unlike the LIberals who used to shuffle their ministers at the drop of a hat.

Les in BC
said

Ed Fast has always been good for Abbotsford both as a city councillor and MP now he will be great for Canada...Les in Abbotsford

Paul ~ Kitchener
said

What a group of comments on this item. There are so many negative, crude, ignorant statements, that shows the abuse of free speech. I guess when people have nothing good to say they haven't learned to be silent. We elected this majority government, and this Prime Minister has served us well ~ how else did he get elected ? Let the HoC open and get to work and then pass judgement on members of parliament. All to be sworn in today are men and women of character & the choice of the Prime Minister " LET THEM SERVE " ! And to those who find nothing good to say ~ GET A LIFE !

Greg - Signs and Wonders
said

Meet the new boss(es)... same as the old boss(es).....What's the difference which puppet is the figure head for which ministry....? It's the 300 people in the ministry departments that do the work.When the CPC gives you lemons... you'll get lemonade, however it will always be 60% more than forecasted.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Rumor has it that, in the hours following the Liberals' monumental defeat, Michael Ignatieff secretly lobbied Harper & Company to accept him as a Conservative, with cabinet post. Talks apparently ended with Iggy unable to agree to a newly created non-portfolio position: "Minister of Irrelevant Concerns and Other Unimportant Things."

Tom in Calgary
said

Hmmm maybe Harper is going to pretend to be nice at home (blue sweater) and create the wedge issues through external affairs. Attack dog Baird would then be the perfect fit. I wonder what position his chauffeur is getting? And Doug ^^^ BC, we know you think he is the best thing since the first Tory was born, and you used to be Liberal but now your measured approach has brought you to the new saviour, blah blah blah

Sue
said

With Baird as foreign minister we can expect to have no relations with any country by the years end. We can pretty much expect foreign trade to cease by the end of the years. Hang onto your hats folks, jobs in Canada will soon be a thing of the past.

Larry I Ontario
said

Very bad move to put Baird in a key position. He does not know how to work with people and compromise. Since he always blames the previous government for everything who will he blame now? The right spot for him is back to the back benches.

Intelligent Liberal
said

The most important thing is that Liberal-minded MP's get promoted to Cabinet posts. That means the newly elected Toronto MP's should be taken care of. The Liberal party itself has been destroyed by its own executive, who are probably Conservative spies. Maybe they should be given cabinet seats too.

Victor in Vaughan
said

If this article turns out to be correct in it's projections, only 1 of the new 5 ministers will be from Ontario ? Good luck, to the Conservatives next time around. Quebec gets two spots ? In my opinion the sooner Bill C12 to add 30 new seats in Ontario, BC and Alberta is re-introduced the better. The Conservatives should look to the talent in Ontario more, since it's the reason for the majority.

Dave Minty
said

What twit would put a loud mouthed snook in the foreign ministry position? Does he really want the rest of the world to love us as much as they do the US? So much for getting along with our neighbours...lets just become them...Stephen Harper..George Bush...yep, we do have a common ground with the states now...lol

Pride - Ottawa
said

Good luck to the new appointees in the Conservative Majority Government. Many smart young new candidates have been elected and Canadians anxiously awaiting to see how they perform in their new roles..