Prime Minister Stephen Harper made sweeping changes to his cabinet Thursday, counting on experienced hands to navigate the uncertain economy while handing key positions to rookie women MPs.

In total, Harper expanded his cabinet from 31 members to 38. There are now 11 women in cabinet, up from seven previously.

Three female MP rookies have been given key posts: Ontario MP Lisa Raitt at natural resources, former Nunavut health minister Leona Aglukkaq at health, and Gail Shea at fisheries.

Shea is the first Tory MP to come out of P.E.I. in more than two decades.

Harper has also given the top diplomatic post, that of foreign affairs minister, to Lawrence Cannon.

Peter MacKay remains at defence, Rob Nicholson stays at justice, and Jim Prentice moves to environment.

Prentice, who was industry minister, accepts his new role as the government prepares to bring in new regulations that will have a large impact on Ontario and Quebec's manufacturing sector as well as on the oil sector in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

"The prime minister wanted somebody that he has total trust in to make sure he gets it right, so that it doesn't cause a lot of harm to the economy," CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife said Thursday.

Dealing with the economy

But the top economic jobs went to those trusted members of Harper's inner circle who can project financial stability. The three MPs, from vote-rich Ontario, who were given the posts are:

• Jim Flaherty, who held on to his post as finance minister;
• Tony Clement, who moves from health to take on industry; and
• John Baird, who moves from environment to handle transport.

"They ministry we introduced today is an experienced, economically-focused team and they are prepared to get right to work for Canadians," said Harper.

But Clement's new assignment as industry minister is going to be a tough one, Fife said.

"He (Clement) is going to have to figure out a way to help our manufacturing sector in Ontario and Quebec to survive this slowdown which has resulted in mass layoffs in our auto plants but also hurting our exports," he said.

Baird's new responsibilities will include doling out billions in budgeted -- but unspent -- cash for infrastructure projects.

With the possibility of a budget deficit in the future, the infrastructure spending will be one of the few levers the government can draw upon to stimulate the economy.

Harper, speaking to reporters after the ceremony, said the cabinet will be focused on protecting Canadians during these economically uncertain times.

"Obviously we've tried to move some of our strongest ministers into key economic portfolios," Harper said.

He also said ministers who may not be handling positions directly related to the economy will also be focusing on the "economic aspects" of their portfolios.

He said the economy will be "job number one" in every aspect of government.

Meanwhile, the Liberals are criticizing Harper's selections saying they showed he is "blindly intent" on a course that exposes Canada to the current international economic volatility.

"Canada is facing significant challenges in this period of international economic turmoil, yet Mr. Harper is playing the same old song," Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale said.

"It will be difficult for Mr. Harper's cabinet members to establish themselves as competent economic managers unless they correct the fiscal irresponsibility that brought our economy to the brink of deficit in the first place."

Liberal MP John McCallum, a former chief economist for the Royal Bank of Canada, said Harper's decision to keep Flaherty as finance minister shows he has not accepted any responsibility for putting Canada's economy in a vulnerable position.

"Canadians want a Finance Minister who will outline a clear plan to help them protect their savings, their pensions and jobs. Mr. Flaherty's record proves he is not the man that should be managing Canada's finances in a time of economic crisis," he said.

The following MPs are among those who have been given new portfolios:

• Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment
• Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
• Tony Clement, Minister of Industry
• Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
• Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture)
• Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour
• James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
• Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
• Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie
• Jay Hill, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
• Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety
• Jason Kenny, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
• Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport)
• Gordon O'Connor, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip
• Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women)

These are some of the MPs who will keep their assignments:

• Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
• Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
• Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
• Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs
• Chuck Strahl, Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
• Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board
• Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors)
• Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation
• Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
• Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services
• Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)

With files from The Canadian Press