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Shuffling By
Innisfil Enterprise
August 15, 2007
By Peter Van Loan, MP, York-Simcoe
This week saw a Cabinet shuffle in Ottawa,
as eight of my colleagues got new
responsibilities, and a ninth joined the
Ministry.
I was happy to stay in my role as Government
House Leade and Minister for Democratic
Reform. I've been enjoying the challenges,
and am pleased with the results we achieved
in the first six months of this year,
getting our agenda through the House of
Commons. It's a fun job and people say it
suits my strengths.
But that didn't prevent the rumour mill from
ramping up. All Ministers had been called to
Ottawa to meet one-on-one with the Prime
Minister to discuss our responsibilities,
and our plans for the period ahead. For some
that included a new job, but most of us
would continue in the same roles.
The media worked themselves into a frenzy.
Rumours touched on just about every
Minister, and many outside the Cabinet as
well. I was not exempt from all this.
When my car arrived through the gates of the
Prime Minister's residence at 24 Sussex,
about eight journalists were camped out. A
cameraman managed to get some footage shot
through the bushes of me entering the
residence. This was enough to allow the CBC
to conclude that I "would be receiving new
responsibilities".
Other journalists made phone calls and sent
e-mails begging for hints of what was
happening. One Globe and Mail story included
a few kind words about me - which was enough
to convince many that something was
happening.
Justice was the likeliest portfolio I was to
receive, according to the media rumour mill.
This portfolio is currently held by Rob
Nicholson, who was my predecessor as
Government House Leader. Apparently, I was
to perpetually follow in his footsteps,
based on the speculation!
The journalists were left frustrated by
their efforts to get secrets out of me. The
most I would give them was that 24 Sussex is
a nice house to visit!
In the end, I had a quick and positive
discussion with the Prime Minister, and then
drove back home to the riding, to watch the
shuffle on TV the next day like everyone
else.
I think the changes are good.
Peter Mackay matches the Defence Portfolio
well, and it builds on his defense
experience. Maxime Bernier will be able to
broaden his profile with Foreign Affairs.
I'm delighted to see Josee Verner at
Canadian Heritage. Jim Prentice will
strengthen our focus on a strong economy as
Industry Minister. And I could go on.
It's a good adjustment to a capable a
collegial Cabinet team. As the Prime
Minister observed, "Our record over the past
eighteen months demonstrates, we have a
proven capacity to get things done for all
of Canada's families."
"This new Ministry presents Canadians with a
clear choice; a choice between strong
leadership that is moving Canada forward or
a weak opposition that would set families
and taxpayers back," concluded Prime
Minister Harper.
I believe he is right. The shuffle only
makes that perspective more clear.
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