Canadian Legislative Updates

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New Transport Minister Announced by Prime Minister Harper

Announced on August 6, Prime Minister Harper unveiled noteworthy changes in his Cabinet.  The Prime Minister highlighted that making Parliament work is essential if Canada is to avoid an unnecessary election.

Most significant is the appointment of the Honorable John Baird (formerly Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities) as the new Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

The Cabinet Shuffle included changes as follows:

• The Honorable Chuck Strahl (Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, British Columbia) becomes Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
• The Honorable John Duncan (Vancouver Island North, British Columbia) enters the Cabinet as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Prime Minister Harper indicated that Minister Strahl’s immediate priority would be the ongoing implementation of the infrastructure stimulus component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The shuffle was prompted, in part, by the Honourable Jay Hill’s announcement earlier this summer, when he said that he would not seek re-election at the end of his current term.