Canada prime minister to name cabinet on Wednesday May 18, 2011

[Sans_May2010]

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will unveil his cabinet Wednesday, giving new jobs to at least six members of his majority government caucus, and naming John Baird to another key role.

CBC News has learned Baird will take over responsibility for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which was left without a minister with the defeat of Lawrence Cannon on May 2.

Baird was most recently government House leader and has held important portfolios in the past, including Transport and Infrastructure.

Speculation about who is in, who is out — if anyone — and who else might be moved around, began soon after the Conservatives won the May 2 election and will come to an end Wednesday at 11:15 a.m., when the cabinet is sworn in at Rideau Hall, the Governor General's residence.

Governments like to keep cabinet appointments tightly kept secrets until just minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin. All eyes will be on who gets out of the cars once they arrive at the front doors of Rideau Hall. The entire cabinet is expected to attend Wednesday's ceremony.

Live coverage Wednesday
CBC will have live coverage of the cabinet swearing-in ceremony Wednesday morning at CBCnews.ca and with Power & Politics host Evan Solomon starting at 10:30 a.m. ET on CBC News Network.
With six spots to fill, including three on the government's front bench, this will be one of the most major cabinet shuffles in years. The last time Harper made changes, this past January, he made only minor tweaks.

The vacancies need to be filled because of ministers who retired or lost in the May 2 election.

The gaps that need to be filled include the heavyweight portfolios of Foreign Affairs, president of the Treasury Board, and Transport and Infrastructure, and the smaller ones of intergovernmental affairs, veterans affairs and sport.

Harper has to take geographic representation into account when deciding who gets to sit at the cabinet table, and this is where he faces particular challenges.

The retirement of Chuck Strahl and Stockwell Day leaves two spots open from British Columbia, which could mean a promotion for James Moore, the current heritage minister, and the inclusion of more MPs from that province.

Few Quebec MPs
Harper has also lost three cabinet members from Quebec with the defeat of Cannon, Jean-Pierre Blackburn and Josée Verner on election night. He now only has five MPs to choose from in Quebec and two of them are already in cabinet — Denis Lebel and Christian Paradis. Harper may decide to bring Maxime Bernier back into the inner circle to help boost Quebec's representation. The former foreign affairs minister resigned in 2008 after leaving confidential documents at his girlfriend's residence.

While pickings are slim in Quebec, there is no shortage of cabinet candidates from Alberta and Ontario. The Tories hold all but one of Alberta's 28 seats and the MPs already in cabinet from that province — Jason Kenney, Rona Ambrose, Ted Menzies, Rob Merrifield, and Diane Ablonczy — probably aren't going anywhere.

The Conservatives may bulk up Ontario's contingent in cabinet now that they finally broke through the Liberal fortress in Toronto and have a number of capable rookie MPs joining the caucus from the city and its suburbs. Chris Alexander and Kellie Leitch are both new MPs with cabinet speculation surrounding them.

Industry Minister Tony Clement, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Baird, all from Ontario, have been steady and trusted ministers in Harper's cabinet.

In addition to geographic representation, Harper also has to be attuned to how many women he includes in his cabinet. The old one had 10 which includes Senator Marjory LeBreton who is leader of the government in the Senate. Eight out of the other nine were re-elected.


Sans_May2010

 

[Cappuccino]

Thanks for the info!

I wonder if Minister Kenney's position is at risk?

Wayne.

 

[Sans_May2010]

What I can understand from various reads are the existing ministers are able to keep their ministeries with them on most cases and replacements are required on those ministers who couldnt win the election. Kenny got more votes than last time from Calgary south west and I guess he is going to retain his position.

Does anyone here has any idea about Kenney's electoral promises on immigration issues. I googled a lot and couldnt find it anywhere.

Sans_May2010

 

[Vismaya]

Jason Kenney is likely to be good for immigrants. He is the man who introduced this fast track processing and I think he will bring some good news for all are immigration applicants and immigrants.

We will know the cabinet ministers pretty soon as S.Harper form his government today?

Tomorrow will be a bid day busy on reading the new minsters and their policies.

Best of luck for each one of you

Vismaya

 

[PAULPAYA]

Jason Kenney is likely to be good for immigrants. He is the man who introduced this fast track processing and I think he will bring some good news for all are immigration applicants and immigrants.

We will know the cabinet ministers pretty soon as S.Harper form his government today?

Tomorrow will be a bid day busy on reading the new minsters and their policies.

Best of luck for each one of you

Vismaya

On May 2, 2011 Canadian citizens will be casting their vote in an election to either re-elect the governing Conservatives, or to elect a new party and Prime Minister. The outcome of this election may have important implications for Canadian immigration. Canada has five major parties running for election. While many parties agree on certain issues, such as the need to improve the efficiency of the immigration system, they each have their own views on what changes need to be made to Canada's immigration system. The following are some promises made by each party during the election campaign:

Conservatives
If re-elected, the Conservatives have promised to:

•Get tougher on human smuggling;
•Streamline the process for deporting foreign criminals;
•Impose a two year conditional Canadian permanent resident status for applicants who are sponsored by a spouse or common-law partner and who have been in that relationship for less than two years; and
•Have foreign credentials recognized in Canada faster and more easily.

Liberals
If elected, the Liberals have promised to:

•Reduce wait times for immigration applications and increase efficiency of the current Canadian immigration system;
•Increase the number of visas that are issued in the Family Class Category;
•Increase federal funding for language training programs in Canada for those wanting to improve their English or French proficiency; and
•Improve the system of recognizing foreign credentials in Canada.

NDP
If elected, the New Democratic Party has promised to:

•Improve immigration wait times and fast-track family reunification;
•Reduce the backlog of applications at the visa offices;
•Develop better procedures and appeals for those applying for visitor visas;
•Accelerate the recognition of foreign credentials in Canada;
•Reinstate federal funding for immigrant settlement agencies, especially those cut in Ontario;
•Implement the “Once in a Lifetime Act” which would allow Canadians a one-time opportunity to sponsor a relative who is not a member of the family class to come to Canada; and
•Ensure tough laws against crooked consultants are enforced.

Green Party
If elected, the Green Party promises to:

•Allocate greater funding for language training programs in English and French in Canada;
•Establish a program for people living in Canada without official status that will lead to full landed immigrant status;
•Improve the integration of newcomers into Canadian society;
•Toughen and enforce regulations governing the practice of immigration consultants; and
•Amend the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Public Safety Act so that formal charges can be brought against all those detained.

Bloc Québécois

Throughout the election campaign, the Bloc Québécois have been fairly quiet on issues regarding immigration. They recently released a document which proposes several changes to their own immigration programs within the province of Quebec (full story can be found here); however they have not discussed changes they would make to federal immigration policies.The 2011 election is important to potential immigrants and Canadians alike as a new government can mean changes to current immigration policies, but whether all of these promises will actually be kept remains to be seen.

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Em ... during election, all other parties at least mentioned about speeding up the immigration, but Conservatives ... why?!
Jason may be good on one side by introducing fast track processing, though there're more delays to the backlogs as the consequences ...

What're the solutions to these => further delay ... further hold period ... further frustration to ppl who're in the lines ...
I am really really frustrated right now as there is literally nothing mentioned or nearly no solution to pre C-50 side of backlog ...

Unfortunately I am one of them ...
If you are telling me Jason still does a good job on the immigration, I would probably say "NO", neither does the party ...

However regardless of what situatuon may be ...
Best of lucks for each one of ya ...

 

[ADUFE]

Jason Kenney stays as the immigration minister following the announcement of Stephen Harper's new cabinet!

Source:http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110518/cabinet-shuffle-110518/20110518/?hub=WinnipegHome

 

[Cappuccino]

Jason Kenney stays as the immigration minister following the announcement of Stephen Harper's new cabinet!

Source:http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110518/cabinet-shuffle-110518/20110518/?hub=WinnipegHome

He's not just kept his old job - he's got a promotion!
(From the above source):

"Jason Kenney 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."

This means he'll have even more power within the government and can get any changes through that he wants more easily. Sounds like he'll be getting tough on fraud!

Wayne.

 

[ADUFE]

Yeah....., may be, but I'm sure most people on this forum would rather he got serious and practical about reducing the backlog instead of adding to it by announcing yet another new set of instructions for the FSW category!

 

[qorax]

Wed May, 18 2011 | 11:53:30 AM | www.cp24.com
Canada's new federal cabinet - a complete list

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper unveiled the first cabinet of his majority government today, sticking mainly with familiar faces while bringing in a few fresh ones.

The prime minister increased the size of the country's board of directors by one member to 39, tying it with the cabinets of Brian Mulroney and Paul Martin as the biggest ever.

Ten of the 28 women in the 166-member Conservative caucus made it into cabinet, but critics condemned that as far too few.

The new federal cabinet in "order of precedence" after Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony:
1. Stephen Harper -- Prime Minister
2. Rob Nicholson -- Justice and Attorney General
3. Marjory LeBreton -- Leader of the Government in the Senate
4. Peter MacKay -- Defence
5. Vic Toews -- Public Safety
6. Rona Ambrose -- Public Works and Government Services and Minister for the Status of Women
7. Diane Finley -- Human Resources and Skills Development
8. Bev Oda -- International Co-operation
9. John Baird -- Foreign Affairs
10. Tony Clement -- President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
11. Jim Flaherty -- Finance
12. Peter Van Loan -- Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
13. Jason Kenney -- Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
14. Gerry Ritz -- Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board
15. Christian Paradis -- Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture)
16. James Moore -- Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
17. Denis Lebel -- Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
18. Leona Aglukkaq -- Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
19. Keith Ashfield -- Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
20. Peter Kent -- Environment
21. Lisa Raitt -- Labour
22. Gail Shea -- National Revenue
23. John Duncan -- Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
24. Steven Blaney -- Veterans Affairs
25. Edward Fast -- International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
26. Joe Oliver -- Natural Resources
27. Peter Penashue -- Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
28. Julian Fantino -- Associate Minister of National Defence
29. Bernard Valcourt -- Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
30. Gordon O'Connor -- Minister of State and Chief Government Whip
31. Maxime Bernier -- Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
32. Diane Ablonczy -- Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
33. Lynne Yelich -- Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)
34. Steven Fletcher -- Minister of State (Transport)
35. Gary Goodyear -- Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)
36. Ted Menzies -- Minister of State (Finance)
37. Tim Uppal -- Minister of State (Democratic Reform)
38. Alice Wong -- Minister of State (Seniors)
39. Bal Gosal -- Minister of State (Sport)

Source: http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110518/110518_federal_cabinet/20110518/?hub=CP24Home

 

[qorax]

The Harper strategy

"Getting it right" was important to Harper's own political reputation.
He promised stability and managerial competence during the campaign. Now he had to deliver with a cabinet that gets the job done, mixes veterans with promising new talent, represents both sexes in the regional and ethnic makeup of Canada -- and stays out of political trouble.

In the days following his May 2 victory, Harper had huddled in his office, focused on how to accomplish this task. It wasn't easy. He faced some tough choices. He got too much talent from Ontario, and not enough from Quebec. There were some holes to fill from British Columbia because of ministerial departures. He needed to appoint and promote more women to fix the balance around the table.

Harper has also come to rely on a small group of trusted ministers - as his core group of political lieutenants. And they are his delivery agents:

Jim Flaherty, after five years in finance, gets to stay and introduce yet another budget in the Commons in June.

John Baird was made the Tories' House Leader in the last session of the minority Parliament, a bid to ensure that the government's agenda cleared the hurdles put up by the opposition. Baird is one of Harper's stars. He had to get a main portfolio, thus the Foreign Affairs.

Jason Kenney, at immigration, is another star who steadfastly did a good job of it, which was politically correct too. Thus, deserved a promotion. He is dubbed the "curry in a hurry" minister - for his exhaustive work in travelling the country, meeting industry stalwarts, convincing Canadians to support the 'policy' [especially new ones] towards the "Canadian Action Plan", garnering mass appeal for the Conservative party [many right-wing though]. He was also pegged for foreign affairs, but better sense prevailed.

Tony Clement, at industry, was at the centre of action in the last year -- the potash foreign takeover decision, the long-form census, the CRTC, gas prices -- and is regarded as highly competent. Harper values his work at industry - but needed him also to strengthen the coffers. His role of heading the Treasury Board and Economic Development of N/Ontario is a smart move/choice.

Peter MacKay, at defence, is popular with the troops. With the military pullout in Afghanistan set for July, it wasn't surprising that he continues.

Peter Kent, appointed to environment in January, is a shinning star and a 'warrior' for eco cause/s. He also has a serious clout with industry, agriculture, forestry, besides had a good international stint... he was Harper's surety on Environmental jurisprudence... thus, had to stay.

Overall, it seems, Harper "got it right" !

Qorax

 

[Sans_May2010]

Hope Kenney will announce his new priorities in immigration very soon. Sans_May2010

 

[ADUFE]

[

Jason Kenney, at immigration, is another star who steadfastly did a good job of it, which was politically correct too. Thus, deserved a promotion. He is dubbed the "curry in a hurry" minister - for his exhaustive work in travelling the country, meeting industry stalwarts, convincing Canadians to support the 'policy' [especially new ones] towards the "Canadian Action Plan", garnering mass appeal for the Conservative party [many right-wing though]. He was also pegged for foreign affairs, but better sense prevailed.

If doing a good job according to the conservatives is increasing the immigration backlog whilst telling the country the very opposite is "steadfastly doing a good job", it says a LOT about the integrity of these people. No wonder a new election was called due to Stephen Harper's and his Motley Crews' contempt of parliament, which was apparently the first time such had ever happened. Good job indeed! Not in my opinion......

 

[nicholas30]

Who ever is elected, politics won't change.... and yeah the slow process still continues for immigration. NO major changes I guess :'( :'( :'( :'(

 

[fariza]

Now the new cabinet sworn in... Hopefully the waiting for the official instructions will be over and get all CIC to back in normal processing activities not only for the post June (MI-2) simultaneously for...... MI-1 and c-50 as well

 

[jonathan1977]

Hi Fazia

Does MI-2 mean applicants pre 2008 Feb applicant?
I am not very familiar with the term CIC use

thanks