Details here. – “Prentice to Industry, Oda to CIDA, Strahl to Indian Affairs, O’Connor to Revenue, Bernier to Foreign Affairs, Verner to Heritage, Ablonczy now Secretary of State for Small Business, Ritz to Agriculture, MacKay to Defence.”
Update: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/cabinet.asp
Comments are open for reaction.
the only more negative spin than this story is the radio version that meets every minister appointment with a comment from Borat Dion or Taliban jack . they never use a CPC comment and even go as far to say “Harper, reading from a teleprompter”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_waddell/20070814.html
I would have been happy if they made OConnor minister of CBCpravda.see how fast the liberal sychophants could backpeddle.
So much for Harper’s comment that “only those who have served in the armed forces are qualified to comment on Canada’s military policies.”
I wonder if MacKay will be as fervently kissing the ass of Robert Gates as he did with Condoleexa Rice?
As one commentator said today:
And in a shocking development, the opposition has criticized the government.
“Somebody mentioned Dion called him ‘President’ Harper.”
“Coderre, interviewed by Duffy, called him President twice that I heard.”
I heard Coderre, but not Dion. That is insulting; not to Harper but to our country and our political system. It shows pure desperation.
I have to say, I like the new line up. I hope they govern well.
But I am incensed that Coderre and Dion would try and earn cheap points by calling the rightfully elected Prime Minister – President!
Prime Minister is the proper title. They should use it, and they should know better.
Maybe we should give them a break for now.
Since both commentators are French Canadians, perhaps they are dreaming of the day they can continue their project to turn Canada into New France.
France’s leader is called the Presidents, n-est ce pas?
Once I hear an English Canadian Liberal use the same terminology, then I will believe it is an anti-American political tactic.
Thanks for your point, Joanne.
It is a slander on the office.
It is truly disrespectful for a Canadian politician to deliberately use the improper terminology to describe the office a duly-elected leader of this country.
“…why? because harper is trading good govt for optics.”
Apparently, hack, amateur photographer, the Canadian public has dined on this Liberal menu for a very long time now. Preening before weening.
Still haven’t balanced the ‘gender’ deficit, idiots say. Hmm. Whatever happened to merit? Smart women (and men) still vote for merit. Only the brain-dead, post-reality utopians see it any other way.
McKay takes over defence. Good move having a civilian in that position. Just like the RCMP.
The hidden agenda gently fades away with the pin pricks.
The fact of the matter is you leftoids still have two choices:
Dion, the gay dancing, acid induced french citizen.
Or, Taliban Jack bin Layton.
Wouldn’t you like a leadership shuffle?
Ah, McKay in Defence. Is it such a show of confidence in McKay as some here would suggest?
After all, need I remind the gentle readers here that Harper said only people who have served in uniform may deign to comment on the military and Afghanistan?
“And when the leader of the opposition is able to stand in uniform and serve his country, then I’ll care about his opinion of the performance of the (minister).” (ca.news.yahoo.com)
Finally, Harper states publicly how much he cares about the advice and opinions of his ministers!
It is kind of difficult to assess the performances of cabinet from afar but I don’t recall too much faux pas that made headlines except when the MSM tried to spin things. As for Diane Ablonczy, as my former MP, I was always impressed with her and the classy way in which she handled missing the first cabinet. She sure as heck didn’t pull a garth tantrum. That lady will go far in politics (and not by crossing the floor to get into cabinet).
I agree in a way with an earlier comment about taking your troops out for a test drive so to speak to find the right mix for a good government.
Messy business of politics. Mackay couldn’t control the External Affairs Dept. It was continuing to be run like the liberals were still in power. Mackay is on borrowed time, I believe – his PC roots have been showing a lot in the last year, and a lot of folks are not happy with him. I think he’s in defence to try to solidify the maritimes, since there’s so much CF activity coming out of there.
O’Connor in revenue? He must have been looking for a rest, OR, a stronger minister was needed to put the CRA management board in its place and try to save a sinking ship. O’Connor needs to know the that the next auditor’s report will brutalize him and the dept. CRA is currently barely on life support. The liberals gutted ministerial authority in that dept. O’Connor isn’t going to like to told to just bugger off.
Mackay might do a better job of pumping the development work in A’stan, leave the heavy lifting to Hillier.
Bernier needs to kick serious ass, and a lot of it in DFAIT. Many of those wankers need the boot.
This whole thing is just rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic. I don’t think the CPC can ever win a majority. It’s time for the Reform party to reserect it self.
irwin daisy said,
Whatever happened to merit?
you tell me. what, exactly, qualifies bernier for his new gig? is it the 20 months in federal politics or his former life as an insurance guy?
don’t bother answering… i’m certain you’re too busy tending to the extensive body of photographic work you have hanging in galleries all across the country… ( i’m not sure that your dog walker’s basement counts as a legitimate cultural center though)
Maybe there are more urinals in the HofC than toilets, so of course, more men in cabinet.
I prefer intelligence, capability, leadership, and loyalty in cabinet ministers, more than if they stand or sit to you know what.
>> “This whole thing is just rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic. I don’t think the CPC can ever win a majority. It’s time for the Reform party to reserect it self.”
The Titanic or the SS Minnow?
Best line of the event…
From CBC Newsworld as the event was wrapping up… “It looks as though someone has given Jim Prentice a sculpture to mark the occasion” (or words to that effect).
That “sculpture” was the Great Seal of Canada, without which the GG cannot perform any official function. (The Great Seal is maintained by the Minister of Industry).
Canada’s PPG, well-informed as always.
I’m just pleased you understood who you are without me calling you out by name.
Ted, ted,
You fancy yourself above the fray. Perhaps even a little more intelligent than most.
Slow day at the office?
ted – kindly get your facts straight. That quote of Harper’s was not a reference to all people, nor to his ministers but to one person, the leader of the Opposition.
You can’t extrapolate that – unless you are an illogical revisionist – and assume that Harper was ‘really really’ talking about his ministers. This time, it’s the fallacy of ‘begging the question’.
Try again. Logic 101.
ET beat me to the punch. Hmm, O’Connor gone. IMO a very good MND but, alas, not a good communicator. That was his great sin that caused the MSM feeding frenzy, most of which they themslelves manufactured. O’Connor was a good General but was unable to communicate government policy through the operational vision of Afghanistan. The new tenor of this cabinet is communication skills, cutting through the chaff with key points said “over and over again” (as opined on Puffy tonight).
As far as public opinion v.v military or Afghanistan. Is there any? At all? Everybody hear about the 10/40 cokeheads on a reserve minesweeper? By the time I got to work this morning, it had become 1/3 of the Navy was on coke! Frickin amazin.
Jack Granatstein says we’re all guilty in his decent book “Who Killed The Canadian Military?” BTW, that uncludes the Mulroney administration. They talked a good game but in the end continued the life cylcle by rustout policy of previous and subsequent governments. The temptation to play politics is too great.
To all you O’Connor the idiot proponents, here’s a nice read for you:
“Somalia Cover-Up, A Commissioner’s Journal” by Peter Debarais.
Written by one of three commissionaires, Debarais describes what General Hillier called a dark time for the government;where, without trial, a fine regiment was given capital punishment by a government that then sought to prove guilt at trial. When they couldn’t, indeed when it appeared others had culpability, it was shut down.
Debarats was wrong, though,to think the “truth would come out.” That never happened, because nobody actually cares. So when our boys and girls go to Afghanistan, we aren’t told about the fantastic job, but casualty counts and phantom torture scandals get the press smelling blood.
If Hillier is a Tory prop, then Liberals present and past, and I suspect future, see the military as their shill for votes.
As for Harper and Tories, I’m disapointed in O’Connor’s “demotion” to Revenue; oh well, I was disappointed with my CO is his first year and half when he was irritatingly hands-on. He told us later he had to be sure we knew what we were doing, then he let up on the reins. He was right, too. That is what Harper is doing and his team will excel as he lets up on the reins, just like ours did.
Results 1 – 10 of about 51,500 for Loyola Hearn fisheries. (0.10 seconds)
Results 1 – 10 of about 161,000 for John Cummins fisheries. (0.12 seconds)
Another sop to the red Tories?
It would take real courage to put John Cummins in as Fish Min. When it comes to stopping the rampant illegal fishing activity, courage is something that Ottawa has had in short supply. Hearn is no better than the Liberals that preceded him…
Everyone on here is an expert. Most of the opinions are laughable!
Anyone have any insider knowledge, perhaps personal knowledge of the people involved?
Myself, I will trust Mr. Harper on his choices. He has continuously run rings around both the Opposition and the MSM from Day One!!!
Some Ministers will work out well, some won’t. Take a pill boys and girls, let events unfold.
The ad hominen attacks from Leftoids reek of both desperation and stupidity.
The Arnold has spoken…
McKay, the UN pet – to lead our military? Fuck the CPC!
Chuckie does Injun affairs….I can feel the fear in the ranks of the reserve welfare fraudsters now……go on a scalping party Chuck. ;D
Cleary shows the (lack of) deep reserve of talent in the conservative benches – he can’t do any better than this. I suppose with useless yammering trolls without an ounce of experience like Jason Kenney, Pierre Poilievre, John Baird (wait – he’s in cabinet) there isn’t much to choose from in this motley crew. Don’t worry, Libs have theire share of waste as well.
Prentice is good and a good man, Bernier ok (only one of 2 or three in entire cabinet with any actual private sector experience – other one had to be pried from the Liberals).
Harper tacitly acknowledged that his crew is still not ready for primetime by not even allowing them to speak to the media following their appoinments. Apparently a former lobbyist mouthpiece (Buckler) is viewed as muich more competent than any in cabinet.
Ablonczy sems smart and is ok when she stays away from the bottom-feeding muckraking crap that so pleases this BT crowd. Just be thankful that the vapid and utterly clueless Guergis did not get elevated – would have been loads of fun for your opponents.
As for Susan Smith’s comments being over the line? Don’t like her much, but methinks this odd coming from people who routinely called Paul Martin a criminal.
I don’t envy the P.M. & the difficult choices he has to make to retain regional balance. Agree Ablonczy is underutilized, so look for a promotion should we gain a majority. Feel bad for OConnor, a decent guy, but lack of communication skills, set him up for more abuse in MSM & QP.
Not sure about McKay, doesn’t seem to do his homework. Big fan of Strahl, he’ll do well as wil Ritz Bev Oda is a fine lady, but the chattering “artsy fartsy” types felt she lacked sophistication. They’ll like Verner more. No opinion on Bernier, time will tell.Prentice is one of the P.M.’s key guys & a star.
Essentially a bit of tinkering, albeit one would not think so given the breathless coverage yesterday, & some of the venom being spewed here.
Yes we need more women members elected for the CPC, but with 50& of our elected women in cabinet, that’s not bad
Don’t mind the cabinet – but can we please get over “Canada’s New Government” 18 months is no longer new and it grates on many, me included, that the second shuffle is still greeted as new.
I thought we may get one more from SK but am not sure if any of the other 9 are ready for the big stage.
kevnik: Hey, when you consider Canadas old government was in power for how many years?It still is a new government.
Paul:truer words were never spoken.
Are you guys speaking in tongues? What kind a gibberish is this. Sounds like shut ins w/o work.