4 January 2007
Ottawa, OntarioPrime Minister Stephen Harper today presented a strengthened ministerial team to lead Canada’s New Government during its second year in office.
“Over the past year, we have been delivering change by getting things done for families and taxpayers,” said the Prime Minister. “Our new ministerial team will continue to deliver on the Government’s commitments to Canadians.”
Prime Minister Harper said the Government will pursue a focused and active agenda for 2007 that will include:
• Presentation of a budget that controls spending, lowers taxes and offers the provinces a fair deal to restore fiscal and jurisdictional balance in Canada;
• Continued efforts to make our streets and communities safer;
• Making Canada’s institutions more democratic and more accountable;
• Standing up for Canada’s interests and values on the world stage; and
• More action to protect the environment and the health of Canadians.
Canada’s New Government’s environmental agenda will be bolstered by the creation of a new Cabinet Committee on the environment and energy security. The Committee will pursue practical, results-oriented solutions to decrease Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution and improve the health and well-being of Canadians.
“These changes represent a strengthening of our ministerial team,” concluded Prime Minister Harper. “Together we will make Canada a stronger, safer and better country for all of us.”
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BACKGROUNDER:
PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE MINISTRY
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the following changes to the Ministry:
• the Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada;
• the Honourable Marjory LeBreton takes on additional duties as Secretary of State (Seniors), in addition to her responsibilities as Leader of the Government in the Senate;
• the Honourable Monte Solberg becomes Minister of Human Resources and Social Development;
• the Honourable Vic Toews becomes President of the Treasury Board;
• the Honourable Rona Ambrose becomes President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification;
• the Honourable Diane Finley becomes Minister of Citizenship and Immigration;
• the Honourable John Baird becomes Minister of the Environment; and
• the Honourable Peter Van Loan becomes Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform.
In addition, the Prime Minister announced the appointment to the Ministry of six new Secretaries of State, including the cross-appointment of Minister LeBreton as Secretary of State (Seniors):
• the Honourable Jay D. Hill is appointed Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip;
• the Honourable Jason Kenney has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity);
• the Honourable Gerry Ritz has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism);
• the Honourable Helena Guergis has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport); and
• the Honourable Christian Paradis has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Agriculture).
The newly appointed Secretaries of State will be members of the Ministry and will be bound by Cabinet solidarity, but will not be members of Cabinet (Senator LeBreton will remain a full Cabinet Minister). Each will attend the meetings of the appropriate Cabinet Committee, in light of his or her responsibilities.
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BACKGROUNDER:
SECRETARIES OF STATE
Six Secretaries of State have been appointed to play an important part in the Ministry.
Each of the Secretaries of State has been given a specific area of responsibility, in order to assist one or more Ministers consistent with previous Canadian practice and the practice in other Westminster governments. Secretaries of State will discharge this role in a number of ways, including:
• representing their Minister, or the Government, at events;
• meeting with stakeholders and other groups;
• demonstrating policy leadership on one or more specific initiatives relating to their assignment, and at the direction of the responsible Minister; and
• appearing on behalf of their Minister in Parliament and before its committees as may be required.
The Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip has been made a member of the Ministry in order to reflect the critical role of the Chief Government Whip in advancing the Government’s legislative and House agenda. This reflects the practice of some previous Canadian Ministries, as well as similar long-standing practice in the U.K.
Unlike Ministers, who will remain full members of the Cabinet, Secretaries of State will not be members of the Cabinet. (Senator LeBreton will remain a full Cabinet Minister). However, each Secretary of State will attend meetings of a Cabinet Committee, in keeping with his or her specific areas of responsibility.
As members of the Ministry, Secretaries of State have been sworn to the Privy Council. They will be bound by Cabinet solidarity, and will be bound to respect Cabinet confidences. Ministers will remain fully accountable for the powers vested by statute, and for the direction of government departments and agencies within their respective portfolios.
