public affairs analysis briefs

Analysis: Mr. Harper's New Cabinet

May 2011 | public affairs

It is steady as she goes for the Canadian ship of state with the selection of the new Harper Cabinet in Ottawa. Typically, the swearing-in of a new cabinet after an election presents a Prime Minister with an opportunity to put a completely new face on the government. While such an approach has benefits, it also has drawbacks.
The May 2 election gave Mr. Harper the majority he sought, but also left him with some important posts to fill.

Two prominent ministers - President of the Treasury Board Stockwell Day and Minister of Transport Chuck Strahl – retired and four others were defeated including Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Josee Verner, Minister of Veterans Affairs Jean-Pierre Blackburn and Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn.

It would appear that Mr. Harper has opted for a cautious and "conservative" approach to cabinet-making that puts a premium on experience and ensures to the greatest extent possible the Government will be able to "hit the ground running" when Parliament reconvenes on June 2. Continuity and stability are the watchwords since Mr. Harper opted to maintain many of his senior ministers in their portfolios.

No Moves

Some prominent ministers will remain in their current posts. These include Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley, International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda, Agricultural Minister Gerry Ritz, Environment Minister Peter Kent, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Heritage Minister James Moore.

There had been some speculation that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who was generally seen as very competent and effective, would be rewarded with another senior cabinet post. Mr. Harper has decided on the status quo and Mr. Flaherty will stay in Finance. This will send a re-assuring signal to the business community and international financial institutions that the Government's fiscal and economic policies have not changed. Indeed, even Flaherty's second in command – Minster of State (Finance) – Ted Menzies remains at his post.

New Moves

The government is giving more recognition to Toronto – where the Conservatives made big gains – with the appointment of former Toronto investment banker and stock-market regulator Joe Oliver as Minister of Natural Resources. This is an interesting choice as Ministers of Natural Resources tend to come from resource rich provinces. However, in this case the Prime Minister is clearly counting on Oliver's understanding of business and markets for this key portfolio. Also from Toronto is Bal Gosal, the newly elected MP from Bramalea-Gore-Malton who is now Minister of State for Sport.

Newfoundland and Labrador gets its first cabinet seat since 2008 with Peter Penashue appointed Intergovernmental Affairs Minister. From British Columbia, Ed Fast has been given International Trade. Bernard Valcourt – a Mulroney era cabinet Minister – takes over the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). And Maxime Bernier is back in cabinet as Minister of State for Small Business.

Small Moves

Ontario's Peter Van Loan is headed back to the House Leader's job to shepherd legislation and take daily attendance in the House of Commons. Former Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino moves to become Associate Minister of Defence. Denis Lebel from Quebec gets a promotion to Transport Minister. PEI's Gail Shea becomes Revenue Minister and New Brunswick's Keith Ashfield becomes Fisheries Minister. Alice Wong gets the nod to serve as Minister of State for Seniors.

Out of cabinet are Alberta's Rob Merrifield, former Minister of State for Transport as well as New Brunswick's Rob Moore, former Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism.

Big Moves

Though the core of the Cabinet remained largely intact, there were some big moves to fill some big gaps. These include Jason Kenney who, in addition to his ministerial responsibilities, will chair the powerful Cabinet Committee on Operations which shapes government strategy and planning. This has typically been viewed as the "Deputy Prime Minister" role in all but name, and it is notable that, like its last long-time holder Jim Prentice, the new Chair also hails from Calgary.

The other star performer in cabinet, John Baird, becomes the new Minister of Foreign Affairs – clearly a reward for his diligent work as House Leader. Tony Clement gets moved to a lower profile, but critically important role at Treasury Board as the Government seeks to rein in spending. Expect fewer tweets from a portfolio that generates few headlines. Quebec Lieutenant Christian Paradis gets much more heft by becoming the powerful Minister of Industry.

Next Steps

Following a Throne speech on June 2 – which will be a rerun of the election platform themes –
Mr. Flaherty's pre-election budget will be the first order of government business when Parliament returns. It will be re-introduced with some minor alterations which reflect new commitments made during the campaign. Expect comprehensive crime legislation soon after that while the Prime Minister begins discussions with provinces on extending the health accord.

Full Cabinet

he Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper Prime Minister of Canada

The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

The Honourable Marjory LeBreton Leader of the Government in the Senate

The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay Minister of National Defence

The Honourable Vic Toews Minister of Public Safety

The Honourable Rona Ambrose Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women

The Honourable Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda Minister of International Cooperation

The Honourable John Baird Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Honourable Tony Clement President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

The Honourable James Michael Flaherty Minister of Finance

The Honourable Peter Van Loan Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

The Honourable Jason Kenney Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

The Honourable Gerry Ritz Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

The Honourable Christian Paradis Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture)

The Honourable James Moore Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

The Honourable Denis Lebel Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

The Honourable Keith Ashfield Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway

The Honourable Peter Kent Minister of the Environment

The Honourable Lisa Raitt Minister of Labour

The Honourable Gail Shea Minister of National Revenue

The Honourable John Duncan Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

The Honourable Steven Blaney Minister of Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Edward Fast Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway

The Honourable Joe Oliver Minister of Natural Resources

The Honourable Peter Penashue Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada

The Honourable Julian Fantino Associate Minister of National Defence

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie)

The Honourable Gordon O'Connor Minister of State and Chief Government Whip

The Honourable Maxime Bernier Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)

The Honourable Diane Ablonczy Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)

The Honourable Lynne Yelich Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)

The Honourable Steven John Fletcher Minister of State (Transport)

The Honourable Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)

The Honourable Ted Menzies Minister of State (Finance)

The Honourable Tim Uppal Minister of State (Democratic Reform)

The Honourable Alice Wong Minister of State (Seniors)

The Honourable Bal Gosal Minister of State (Sport)

 

Cabinet Committees

Cabinet Committee on Priorities and Planning
Provides strategic direction on government priorities and expenditure management, ratifies committee recommendations and approves appointments.
Chair
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Joseph Harper
Vice-Chair
The Hon. Marjory LeBreton
Members
The Hon. Peter Gordon MacKay
The Hon. Vic Toews
The Hon. Diane Finley
The Hon. John Baird
The Hon. Tony Clement
The Hon. James Michael Flaherty
The Hon. Jason Kenney
The Hon. Christian Paradis
The Hon. James Moore
The Hon. Denis Lebel
The Hon. John Duncan

Cabinet Committee on Operations
Provides day-to-day coordination of the government's agenda, including issues management, legislation and house planning, and communications.
Chair
The Hon. Jason Kenney
Vice-Chair
The Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
Members
The Hon. Marjory LeBreton
The Hon. Rona Ambrose
The Hon. Peter Van Loan
The Hon. Gerry Ritz
The Hon. James Moore
The Hon. Denis Lebel
The Hon. Leona Aglukkaq
The Hon. Keith Ashfield
The Hon. Gail Shea
The Hon. Peter Penashue
The Hon. Gordon O'Connor*
*The Minister of State and Chief Government Whip will attend meetings of the Committee.

Treasury Board
Responsible for accountability and ethics, financial, personnel and administrative management, comptrollership, approving regulations and most orders-in-council.
Chair
The Hon. Tony Clement
Vice-Chair
The Hon. Rona Ambrose
Members
The Hon. James Michael Flaherty
The Hon. Julian Fantino
The Hon. Bernard Valcourt*
The Hon. Maxime Bernier*
Alternates
The Hon. Beverley J. Oda
The Hon. Diane Ablonczy*
The Hon. Lynne Yelich*
The Hon. Steven John Fletcher*
The Hon. Ted Menzies*
*The Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie) and the Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) will attend meetings of the Treasury Board. The Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), the Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification), the Minister of State (Transport) and the Minister of State (Finance) will attend meetings of the Treasury Board as alternates as required.

Treasury Board Sub-Committee on the Strategic and Operating Review
Considers proposals made under the Strategic and Operating Review.
Chair
The Hon. Tony Clement
Vice-Chair
The Hon. Ted Menzies*
Members
The Hon. Marjory LeBreton
The Hon. Peter Gordon MacKay
The Hon. Diane Finley
The Hon. Christian Paradis
The Hon. Lisa Raitt
The Hon. Joe Oliver
*The Minister of State (Finance) will be the Vice-Chair and attend meetings of the Sub-Committee.

Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs
Considers health care, justice, public safety, Aboriginal, training and skills development, culture, and immigration policy issues.
Chair
The Hon. Diane Finley
Vice-Chair
The Hon. James Moore
Members
The Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
The Hon. Vic Toews The Hon. Jason Kenney
The Hon. Leona Aglukkaq
The Hon. John Duncan
The Hon. Steven Blaney
The Hon. Peter Penashue
The Hon. Maxime Bernier*
The Hon. Lynne Yelich*
The Hon. Tim Uppal*
The Hon. Alice Wong*
The Hon. Bal Gosal*
*The Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), the Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification), the Minister of State (Democratic Reform), the Minister of State (Seniors) and the Minister of State (Sport) will attend meetings of the Committee.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Prosperity and Sustainable Growth
Considers sectoral issues including international trade, sustainable development, natural resources, fisheries, agriculture, transport, infrastructure and communities, and regional development, as well as environment and energy security and other longer-term matters concerning Canada's economic growth and prosperity.
Chair
The Hon. Christian Paradis
Vice-Chair
The Hon. Lisa Raitt
Members
The Hon. Rona Ambrose
The Hon. James Michael Flaherty
The Hon. Gerry Ritz
The Hon. Denis Lebel
The Hon. Keith Ashfield
The Hon. Peter Kent
The Hon. Gail Shea
The Hon. Edward Fast
The Hon. Joe Oliver
The Hon. Steven John Fletcher*
The Hon. Gary Goodyear*
The Hon. Ted Menzies*
*The Minister of State (Transport), the Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) and the Minister of State (Finance) will attend meetings of the Committee.

Cabinet Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
Considers foreign affairs, international development, public and national security, and defence policy issues.
Chair
The Hon. Peter Gordon MacKay
Vice-Chair
The Hon. John Baird
Members
The Hon. Beverley J. Oda
The Hon. Peter Van Loan
The Hon. Peter Kent
The Hon. Steven Blaney
The Hon. Edward Fast
The Hon. Julian Fantino
The Hon. Bernard Valcourt*
The Hon. Gordon O'Connor*
The Hon. Diane Ablonczy*
*The Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie), the Minister of State and Chief Government Whip and the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) will attend meetings of the Committee.

Cabinet Committee on National Security
Provides broad strategic direction for security and foreign policy related to Canada's national interest, and oversees Canada's national security response activities.
Chair
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Joseph Harper
Vice-Chair
The Hon. Vic Toews
Members
The Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
The Hon. Peter Gordon MacKay
The Hon. Beverley J. Oda
The Hon. John Baird
The Hon. Jason Kenney
The Hon. Denis Lebel