Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces changes to the ministry

January 19, 2010

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced changes to the Ministry in preparation for a Speech from the Throne and the implementation of Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
 
“Just as it was this past year, our priority in the new session of Parliament will continue to be rapid and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to benefit communities, workers and businesses,” said the Prime Minister. “Investments in infrastructure and initiatives to protect existing jobs and create new ones must continue. At the same time, we must look ahead to future challenges. These include restoring a balanced budget once our economy is fully recovered and building our economic future.”
 
In keeping with the Cabinet’s economic focus, the Prime Minister announced that key economic portfolios would remain with veteran Cabinet ministers.
 
The Prime Minister thanked the Honourable Greg Thompson, MP (New Brunswick Southwest), for his service as Minister of Veterans Affairs. Notable changes to the Ministry include the appointment of the Honourable Christian Paradis as Minister of Natural Resources and the Honourable Stockwell Day as President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
 
“Minister Paradis has demonstrated the ability to manage complex and challenging files,” said the Prime Minister. “He will bring this experience to bear on the demanding nuclear file.”
 
“As we prepare for the return of balanced budgets once the economy has recovered, it will be essential for government to live within its means,” said the Prime Minister. “I am assigning this task to Minister Day, one of the most senior members of the Cabinet and a former provincial treasurer who has distinguished himself in every portfolio he has held.”
 
The Prime Minister also welcomed the Honourable Rob Moore to the Ministry, where he will serve as Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism).
 
“This is an experienced team that will stay the course on our government’s stimulus plan while working to ensure Canada emerges from the recession with a stronger economy to meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said the Prime Minister.
 
Backgrounders Attached

The Canadian Ministry
http://www.pm.gc.ca/grfx/docs/cabinet.pdf
Biographies
Cabinet Committee Mandates and Membership
 
 


Backgrounder

BIOGRAPHIES

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture)
 
Jonquière–Alma (Quebec)

Jean-Pierre Blackburn was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984 and re-elected in 1988, 2006 and 2008. In February 2006, he was appointed Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and in October 2008 was named Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture).

Mr. Blackburn has been a teacher, administrator and businessman. From 1974 to 1984, he held the position of CEO of the Société d'initiatives et de développement des artères commerciales in Chicoutimi. He was also president of a business development and public relations firm in Jonquière.

Mr. Blackburn holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in regional studies and intervention from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi.

Mr. Blackburn resides in Jonquière with his wife Ginette. They have two children. 


The Honourable Marjory LeBreton
Leader of the Government in the Senate

Ontario

Marjory LeBreton was appointed to the Senate in June 1993 under Prime Minister Mulroney.  On February 6, 2006, Ms. LeBreton was appointed Leader of the Government in the Senate and in January 2007 was given additional responsibilities as Secretary of State (Seniors) and as Minister of State (Seniors) in October 2008. Prior to her current functions in the Senate, Ms. LeBreton served as Chief Opposition Whip.

Prior to her appointment as a Senator, Ms. LeBreton served the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in various capacities for more than 31 years, including work on the staff of four different leaders including three prime ministers.

Ms. LeBreton’s involvement in the community extends well beyond politics. She has been actively engaged in health care and mental health issues and is a past national chairperson of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Ms. LeBreton is married to Douglas.


The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay
Minister of National Defence

Central Nova (Nova Scotia)

Peter MacKay was first elected to Parliament in 1997. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008. In February 2006, he was named Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. In August 2007, he was named Minister of National Defence while continuing to serve as Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

In his first five years in the House of Commons, Mr. MacKay served as House Leader for the Progressive Conservative caucus.

On May 31, 2003, he became Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. In March 2004, he was named Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and was renamed Deputy Leader following the June 2004 election.

Before entering politics, Mr. MacKay had a private law practice in New Glasgow, specializing in criminal and family law. In 1993, he accepted an appointment as Crown Attorney for the Central Region of Nova Scotia. He prosecuted cases at all levels, including youth and provincial courts as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.


Mr. MacKay has served on volunteer boards including New Leaf and Tearmann House. As well, he has been active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA.

After graduating from Acadia University, Mr. MacKay went on to study law at Dalhousie University. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 1991.
 

The Honourable Stockwell Day
President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway

Okanagan–Coquihalla (British Columbia)

Stockwell Day was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008. In February 2006, Mr. Day was appointed Minister of Public Safety and in October 2008, he was named Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

From 1986 to 2000, he represented Red Deer North in the Alberta Legislature, where he served in the Progressive Conservative government in a variety of senior roles including Chief Whip, Government House Leader, Minister of Labour and Minister of Social Services.  From 1997 to 2000, he was Provincial Treasurer (Minister of Finance) and acting Premier.

Upon his election in 2000, he was named Leader of the Official Opposition and remained in this role until December 2001. Prior to his election, Mr. Day was a school administrator.

He is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Rotary Club.

He and his wife, Valorie, have three sons and 13 grandchildren.

 
The Honourable Vic Toews
Minister of Public Safety

Provencher (Manitoba)

Vic Toews was first elected to the House of Commons in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008. In February 2006, Mr. Toews was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and in January 2007, was named President of the Treasury Board.

Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Mr. Toews was active in Manitoba provincial politics. In 1995, he was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rossmere and shortly thereafter, he was appointed Minister of Labour. From 1997 until September 1999, he served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for the Province of Manitoba.

Mr. Toews practised law with the Manitoba provincial Department of Justice from 1976 to 1991. In 1987, Mr. Toews was appointed Director of Constitutional Law for the Province of Manitoba. He acted as legal counsel to the Premier of Manitoba at the Meech Lake Accord discussions in 1990. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1991.

Mr. Toews graduated from the University of Winnipeg and received his law degree from the University of Manitoba.


The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Edmonton–Spruce Grove (Alberta)

Rona Ambrose was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. In February 2006, she was appointed Minister of the Environment and in January 2007, she was named President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. In October 2008, she was appointed Minister of Labour.

Prior to her election, Ms. Ambrose worked in the Alberta public service. She was a political columnist and has worked as an independent consultant on public policy issues.

Ms. Ambrose has a long history of volunteering for causes that improve the lives of women including the Edmonton Women’s Shelter, the Status of Women Action Group, and the Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Centre.

A graduate of the University of Victoria, Ms. Ambrose also holds a Master of Arts from the University of Alberta. 

Ms. Ambrose is passionate about informing young Canadians on the important role that politics can play in their lives.
 
Ms. Ambrose lives in Edmonton.



The Honourable Peter Van Loan
Minister of International Trade

York–Simcoe (Ontario)

Peter Van Loan was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. Mr. Van Loan was appointed President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport in November 2006, and was named Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform in January 2007. He was appointed Minister of Public Safety in October 2008.

Prior to entering public life, Mr. Van Loan worked as partner and chair of the Planning and Development Law Group with the national law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP. He has also been an adjunct professor of planning at the University of Toronto.

Mr. Van Loan has been active in the community, serving as a member of the Georgina Economic Development Committee, a former executive member of the Canadian Bar Association – Ontario, Municipal Section, and a member of the Ontario Brownfields Advisory Panel.

Mr. Van Loan obtained a Master of Science in planning and a Master of Arts in international relations from the University of Toronto and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.
 
He is married to Cheryl and they have two children.


The Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Natural Resources

Mégantic–L'Érable (Quebec)

Christian Paradis was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. Mr. Paradis was appointed Secretary of State (Agriculture) in January 2007. He was also appointed Minister of Public Works and Government Services in June 2008.

Prior to his election to Parliament, Mr. Paradis had a legal practice specializing in corporate law.

He has been actively involved in several support groups and charitable organizations, including the Rotary Club of Thetford Mines.

Mr. Paradis graduated from the University of Sherbrooke in civil law and holds a graduate degree in corporate law from Laval University.

Mr. Paradis and his wife Julie have three children.

 
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Labour

Halton (Ontario)

Lisa Raitt was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008. She was appointed Minister of Natural Resources in October 2008.

Prior to her election to the House of Commons, Ms. Raitt was the president and chief executive officer of the Toronto Port Authority (TPA). She had previously served as the TPA’s general counsel and harbourmaster.

As a lawyer, Ms. Raitt specialized in the areas of intellectual property, commercial litigation and shipping arbitration.

She is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and holds a Master of Science from the University of Guelph. She earned her law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University.

Ms. Raitt is an active member of her community. She volunteered as a Halton canvasser and fundraiser for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and for her children’s hockey, soccer and gymnastics organizations. In 2002, Ms. Raitt was invited to become a member of the Canadian chapter of the worldwide Young Presidents’ Organization.


Ms. Raitt resides in Oakville and is the mother of two boys.
 

The Honourable Keith Ashfield
Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway

Fredericton (New Brunswick)

Keith Ashfield was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008. In October 2008, he was appointed Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).

Prior to his election, Mr. Ashfield served in the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Deputy Speaker of the Legislature and as provincial Minister of Natural Resources from 2003 to 2006.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. Ashfield was active in local, provincial and national school trustee associations. He has also held senior positions in local companies, and has owned and operated his own businesses.

Mr. Ashfield studied business administration at the University of New Brunswick.

He currently resides in Lincoln, New Brunswick. He is married to Judy and they have two children.

 
The Honourable Diane Ablonczy
Minister of State (Seniors)

Calgary–Nose Hill (Alberta)

Diane Ablonczy was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 and re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008. Ms. Ablonczy was appointed Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) in August 2007 and then Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) in October 2008.

She previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance. Ms. Ablonczy has been a member of several committees of the House of Commons, including the standing committees on Citizenship and Immigration, on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and on Health. She has also served on the House of Commons Finance Committee.

Prior to entering political life, Ms. Ablonczy enjoyed a varied career which included experiences ranging from teaching junior high school to managing a grain farm operation to building a successful law practice. 

Ms. Ablonczy was named Honorary President of the Hoy Sun Association of Calgary, which represents members of the local Chinese and Vietnamese communities.
 
Ms. Ablonczy graduated from the University of Calgary and has degrees in education and law. 

She is married to Ron and has one daughter, four step-children and five grandchildren.


The Honourable Rob Moore
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Fundy Royal (New Brunswick)

Rob Moore was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in February 2006.

Mr. Moore has been a member of several legislative committees of the House of Commons, including the Legislative Committee on Bill C-2 (Federal Accountability Act) and the Legislative Committee on Bill C-27 (Dangerous Offenders Act). 

He has a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick. He was called to the New Brunswick Bar in June 2000.

Mr. Moore was born in Gander, Newfoundland, in 1974. He and his wife Melinda currently live in Quispamsis with their two daughters.


Backgrounder/ Note d’information

CABINET COMMITTEE MANDATES AND MEMBERSHIP/
MANDAT ET COMPOSITION DES COMITÉS DU CABINET

Ministers are listed in order of date of appointment to the Privy Council and by date first elected to the House of Commons or appointed to the Senate, followed by Ministers of State, who are listed in the same fashion.

Les ministres sont énumérés selon la date de leur nomination au Conseil privé et selon la date de leur première élection à la Chambre des communes ou de leur nomination au Sénat, suivis des ministres d’État, qui sont énumérés de la même façon.


The Minister of Finance and the President of the Treasury Board are ex-officio members of Committees where they are not shown as standing members.

Le ministre des Finances et le président du Conseil du Trésor sont membres d’office des comités dont ils ne sont pas membres à titre permanent.



Cabinet Committee on Priorities and Planning/Comité du Cabinet chargé des priorités et de la planification

Provides strategic direction on government priorities and expenditure management, ratifies committee recommendations and approves appointments.

Comité chargé de définir les orientations stratégiques relatives aux priorités gouvernementales et à la gestion des dépenses, de ratifier les recommandations des comités et d’approuver les nominations.

Chair/Président
The Rt. Hon./Le très hon. Stephen Joseph Harper

Vice-Chair/Vice-président
The Hon./L’hon. Lawrence Cannon

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Marjory LeBreton
The Hon./L’hon. Chuck Strahl
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Gordon MacKay
The Hon./L’hon. Stockwell Day
The Hon./L’hon. Vic Toews
The Hon./L’hon. Jim Prentice
The Hon./L’hon. John Baird
The Hon./L’hon. Tony Clement
The Hon./L’hon. James Michael Flaherty
The Hon./L’hon. Josée Verner
The Hon./L’hon. Christian Paradis


Cabinet Committee on Operations/Comité du Cabinet sur les opérations

Provides the day-to-day coordination of the government’s agenda, including issues management, legislation and house planning, and communications.

Comité chargé d’assurer la coordination quotidienne du programme gouvernemental, y compris la gestion des questions ponctuelles, la planification des activités législatives et parlementaires ainsi que les communications.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. Jim Prentice

Vice-Chair/Vice-président
The Hon./L’hon. Jay D. Hill

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
The Hon./L’hon. Marjory LeBreton
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Van Loan
The Hon./L’hon. Gerry Ritz
The Hon./L’hon. Jason Kenney
The Hon./L’hon. James Moore
The Hon./L’hon. Gail Shea
The Hon./L’hon. Denis Lebel*



*The Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) will attend meetings of the Committee.

*Le ministre d’État (Agence de développement économique du Canada pour les régions du Québec) assistera aux réunions du comité.


Treasury Board/Conseil du Trésor

Responsible for accountability and ethics, financial, personnel and administrative management, comptrollership, approving regulations and most orders-in-council.

Comité chargé de la responsabilisation et de l’éthique, de la gestion des finances, du personnel et de l’administration, de la fonction de contrôle ainsi que de l’approbation des règlements et de la plupart des décrets.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. Stockwell Day

Vice-Chair/Vice-présidente
The Hon./L’hon. Rona Ambrose

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. James Michael Flaherty
The Hon./L’hon. Jay D. Hill
The Hon./L’hon. Diane Ablonczy*
The Hon./L’hon. Steven John Fletcher*

Alternates/Suppléants
The Hon./L’hon. Beverley J. Oda
The Hon./L’hon. Keith Ashfield
The Hon./L’hon. Gary Lunn*
The Hon./L’hon. Denis Lebel*


*The Minister of State (Seniors) and the Minister of State (Democratic Reform) will attend meetings of the Treasury Board. The Minister of State (Sport) and the Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) will attend meetings of the Treasury Board as alternates as required.

*La ministre d’État (Aînés) et le ministre d’État (Réforme démocratique) assisteront aux réunions du Conseil du Trésor. Le ministre d’État (Sports) et le ministre d’État (Agence de développement économique du Canada pour les régions du Québec) assisteront aux réunions du Conseil du Trésor, au besoin, à titre de suppléants.


Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs/Comité du Cabinet chargé des affaires sociales

Considers health care, justice, Aboriginal, training and skills development, culture, and immigration policy issues.

Comité chargé d’examiner les enjeux politiques touchant les soins de santé, la justice, les Autochtones, la formation et le développement des compétences, la culture et l’immigration.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. Chuck Strahl

Vice-Chair/Vice-présidente
The Hon./L’hon. Diane Ablonczy*

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Jean-Pierre Blackburn
The Hon./L’hon. Diane Finley
The Hon./L’hon. Josée Verner
The Hon./L’hon. Jason Kenney
The Hon./L’hon. James Moore
The Hon./L’hon. Leona Aglukkaq
The Hon./L’hon. Gary Lunn*
The Hon./L’hon. Helena Guergis*
The Hon./L’hon. Rob Moore*


*The Minister of State (Seniors) will be the Vice-Chair and attend meetings of the Committee. The Minister of State (Sport), the Minister of State (Status of Women) and the Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) will attend meetings of the Committee.

*La ministre d’État (Aînés) assistera aux réunions du comité à titre de vice-présidente. Le ministre d’État (Sports), la ministre d’État (Condition féminine) et le ministre d’État (Petite Entreprise et Tourisme) assisteront aux réunions du comité.


Cabinet Committee on Economic Growth and Long-term Prosperity/Comité du Cabinet chargé de la croissance économique et de la prospérité à long terme

Considers both sectoral issues including, international trade, sustainable development,
natural resources, fisheries, agriculture, transport, infrastructure and communities, and
regional development, as well as longer-term matters concerning Canada’s
economic growth and prosperity, including follow-up on Advantage Canada and
multi-year infrastructure plans set out in Budget 2007.

Comité chargé d’examiner les enjeux politiques touchant les questions sectorielles telles que le commerce international, le développement durable, les ressources naturelles, les pêches, l’agriculture, les transports, l’infrastructure et les collectivités, le développement régional, ainsi que les questions à long terme concernant la croissance économique et la prospérité du Canada, y compris le suivi d’Avantage Canada et les plans pluriannuels d’infrastructure énoncés dans le budget de 2007.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. Tony Clement

Vice-Chair/Vice-présidente
The Hon./L’hon. Diane Finley

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Rona Ambrose
The Hon./L’hon. John Baird
The Hon./L’hon. James Michael Flaherty
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Van Loan
The Hon./L’hon. Gerry Ritz
The Hon./L’hon. Christian Paradis
The Hon./L’hon. Lisa Raitt
The Hon./L’hon. Gail Shea
The Hon./L’hon. Keith Ashfield


Cabinet Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security/Comité du Cabinet chargé des affaires étrangères et de la sécurité

Considers foreign affairs, international development, public and national security, and defence policy issues.

Comité chargé d’examiner les enjeux politiques touchant les affaires étrangères, le développement international, la sécurité publique et nationale et la défense.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Gordon MacKay

Vice-Chair/Vice-président
The Hon./L’hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Jean-Pierre Blackburn
The Hon./L’hon. Beverley J. Oda
The Hon./L’hon. Lawrence Cannon
The Hon./L’hon. Vic Toews
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Van Loan
The Hon./L’hon. Gordon O’Connor*
The Hon./L’hon. Rob Merrifield*
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Kent*


*The Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, the Minister of State (Transport) and the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) will attend meetings of the Committee.

*Le ministre d’État et whip en chef du gouvernement, le ministre d’État (Transports) et le ministre d’État des Affaires étrangères (Amériques) assisteront aux réunions du comité.


Cabinet Committee on Environment and Energy Security/Comité du Cabinet sur l’environnement et la sécurité énergétique

Considers environment and energy security policy issues.

Comité chargé d’examiner les enjeux politiques touchant l’environnement et la sécurité énergétique.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. John Baird

Vice-Chair/Vice-président
The Hon./L’hon. Christian Paradis

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Jim Prentice
The Hon./L’hon. Leona Aglukkaq
The Hon./L’hon. Lisa Raitt
The Hon./L’hon. Keith Ashfield
The Hon./L’hon. Lynne Yelich*
The Hon./L’hon. Gary Goodyear*


*The Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification) and the Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) will attend meetings of the Committee.

*La ministre d’État (Diversification de l’économie de l’Ouest) et le ministre d’État (Sciences et Technologie) (Agence fédérale de développement économique pour le Sud de l’Ontario) assisteront aux réunions du comité.


Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan/Comité du Cabinet sur l’Afghanistan

Considers issues related to Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.

Examine les questions relatives à la mission du Canada en Afghanistan.

Chair/Président
The Hon./L’hon. Lawrence Cannon

Vice-Chair/Vice-présidente
The Hon./L’hon. Beverley J. Oda

Members/Membres
The Hon./L’hon. Jean-Pierre Blackburn
The Hon./L’hon. Peter Gordon MacKay
The Hon./L’hon. Vic Toews