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Canadian Prime Minister Harper unveils new cabinet


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Canadian Prime Minister Harper unveils new cabinet

2011-05-19 05:22:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

OTTAWA, CANADA (BNO NEWS) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday unveiled his new cabinet which included nine new members, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

Harper, also leader of the Conservative Party, selected john Baird to the high-profile Foreign Affairs Ministry. Baird, 41, served as environment minister, transport minister and leader of the government in the House of Commons.

Other changes included, newly elected Toronto MP Joe Oliver who was appointed over veteran Liberal Joe Volpe as Natural Resources Ministry, the most desired post for a newcomer.

Current Industry Minister Tony Clement was selected to the Treasury Board, a key post as the Conservatives promised during campaign to reduce $4 billion from government spending per year.

In addition, Harper appointed three Conservative candidates who were defeated in the past elections to Senate seats: Josée Verner, former CFL commissioner Larry Smith and Fabian Manning.

"With a renewed mandate and a national majority, Canadians can count on this government to pursue measures that create jobs and growth, support seniors, protect our health-care system, fight against crime and reduce and eliminate the deficit," Harper said.

The cabinet reshuffle announcement was followed by the swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall. The new appointments were done to help push Harper's agenda forward in the Senate.

Several ministers retained their posts including Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Defense Minister Peter MacKay. International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda also kept her job despite being involved in a documents fiasco.

Harper's new cabinet included ten women for a total 39 positions, just one shy of the record 40-member cabinet of former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

"The new Ministry is fundamentally about stability and continuity. It represents the right mix of experience and new blood," concluded the Canadian Premier.

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-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-19

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