Prime Minister Stephen Harper gives a radio interview in his Langevin Block office on Monday, January 18, 2010.FRED CHARTRAND
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is moving a few big-name members of his cabinet Tuesday morning as part of a shuffle that aims to highlight the Conservatives' focus on the economy, government officials say.
The shuffle will be "really small" and constitute an exercise in "fine tuning," but some ministers will go up and others down, with fresh faces getting a chance to prove themselves, sources said yesterday.
There was much speculation Monday night about the fate of Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt, who was dogged by controversies last year.
Interprovincial Affairs Minister Josée Verner, Minister of Public Safely Peter Van Loan, and Labour Minister Rona Ambrose could also change positions, sources said.
Public Works officials are expecting Public Works Minister Christian Paradis to move, while another official said Senator Marjorie LeBreton, who looks after seniors' issues, will likely get different responsibilities.
Treasury Board President Vic Toews, meanwhile, fought off recent rumours in Manitoba that he is set to retire from politics.
"[Today]I will be the MP for Provencher, I will be in cabinet. Next week, I will be the MP for Provencher and in cabinet, provided the Prime Minister is still agreeable," he said.
One thing is certain: Mr. Harper must fill the void left by Greg Thompson's resignation over the weekend as minister of veterans affairs.
Sources said several ministers are staying put, including Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda. The government is focused on the operation in Haiti, and will present a budget in early March, and will not shuffle the players on those fronts.
Mr. Thompson, who was first elected in 1988, said he is staying on as an MP until the next election.
While Veterans Affairs is not always seen as a major portfolio, opposition MPs have highlighted the complaints of soldiers returning from missions such as Afghanistan. The next minister will be expected to tackle that issue, especially in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mr. Thompson said his time in politics has been exhausting, and he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
"There is a time to arrive and there is a time to leave, and I want to go out on my own terms," he said.
His departure also creates a need for a new regional minister for New Brunswick. One possible replacement is Conservative MP Keith Ashfield of Fredericton, junior minister for economic development in the Atlantic region.
Mr. Harper is also expected to appoint five new Tory senators soon. Having prorogued Parliament just before New Year's Day, he is using the time to take control of the Senate, rearrange his cabinet and "recalibrate" his government's response to the economic crisis.
With reports from Steven Chase, Campbell Clark, Jane Taber and Patrick White
(Photo: Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press)