Harper unveils new cabinet, new faces
Posted May 19, 2011 03:56:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Stephen Harper has unveiled the first cabinet of his majority government, bringing in several new faces and promoting veteran political pitbull John Baird to foreign affairs.
The prime minister increased the size of the country’s board of directors by one member, tying it with Brian Mulroney’s cabinet as the biggest ever.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Defence Minister Peter MacKay are among the veterans keeping their posts.
Baird replaces Lawrence Cannon, who was defeated in the May 2 election.
Among the newcomers being sworn in at Rideau Hall are Peter Penashue _ the lone Conservative from Newfoundland and Labrador _ as intergovernmental affairs minister.
Maxime Bernier, one of only five Tories elected in Quebec, returns to cabinet in a junior role as minister of state for small business and tourism after a three-year exile.
Other appointments, Tony Clement to treasury board, Peter Van Loan to house leader, Christian Paradis to industry, Denis Lebel to transport, Keith Ashfield to fisheries and oceans, Gail Shea to national revenue, Steven Blaney to veteran affairs, Ed Fast to international trade, Joe Oliver to natural resources
Peter Penashue intergovernmental affairs and Julian Fantino associate minister of defence.
