From the Star
January 19, 2010
Julian Beltrame
Heather Scoffield
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA–One woman is getting a second chance in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new cabinet while another once thought to be on the fast-track faces a detour through demotion after stumbling through a scandal.
As many as eight to 10 ministers will be on the move in a shuffle on Tuesday that is far more elaborate than the tweak some officials predicted a few days ago, The Canadian Press has learned.
The biggest surprise may be that controversy-prone Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt, once a rising star in the party who rocketed to cabinet within weeks of her first election win in October 2008, is getting demoted. Raitt ran into trouble last year when she was caught on tape criticizing some of her fellow ministers.
She will stay in the cabinet, but in the relatively obscure labour post.
Public Works Minister Christian Paradis is tabbed to replace Raitt at the department that oversees such hot-button issues as oil-sands development and the future of Atomic Energy of Canada.
Labour Minister Rona Ambrose, another once high-profile woman who was a disappointment in her first turn at environment, is getting another chance at a big department with public works.
And Trade Minister Stockwell Day will be replaced by Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, with Day headed to treasury.
Treasury Board President Vic Toews will move to public safety.
Sources say junior minister Diane Ablonczy, who many consider an underutilized talent, will be receiving a minor promotion to minister of state for seniors.
Other changes include Jean-Pierre Blackburn, who goes from revenue to veterans affairs, replacing Greg Thompson, who resigned his portfolio over the weekend.
At least one new person will be elevated to cabinet – New Brunswick MP Rob Moore, who will be handed Ablonczy's vacated tourism post.
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