Environment at Center of Canada Cabinet Shakeup

Typography
Stung by criticism of its environmental policy and preparing for a possible election this year, Canada's government made sweeping changes to its cabinet Thursday and promised to do more to fight climate change.

OTTAWA -- Stung by criticism of its environmental policy and preparing for a possible election this year, Canada's government made sweeping changes to its cabinet Thursday and promised to do more to fight climate change.


The environment was not one of Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper's main election priorities when he won a minority mandate a year ago, but a groundswell of concern, especially over global warming, has forced a new focus.


Harper picked John Baird, a fiery cabinet minister who oversaw the civil service, to replace embattled Environment Minister Rona Ambrose. He said she had done more in less than a year than the outgoing Liberals had in 12 years in power.


"But we recognize that, particularly when it comes to clean air and climate change, that Canadians expect a lot more. We've put an experienced minister into that portfolio," he said.


Harper addressed reporters outside his residence without an overcoat, rare in the world's third-coldest capital in January, as the temperature climbed to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit).


He made seven cabinet changes and added six secretaries of state, junior ministers who are not part of the full cabinet but who sit on cabinet committees and give greater visibility to the Conservative team.


Harper kept Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in his job as he drafts a budget, most likely to be delivered in February or March, that could trigger the next election.


One of the three opposition parties must back the budget or the government will fall. Harper said it was important to have the right team "as we face the possibility of an election."


He said he did not intend to call an election, and whether the other parties decide to pull the plug may depend partly on their poll standings.


The Conservatives had slipped marginally behind the Liberals in public support, partly over the environment, but the latest survey showed them pulling ahead again.


A Decima survey taken Dec. 27-30 and provided to the Canadian Press news agency put the Conservatives at 34 percent and the Liberals at 31 percent. The leftist New Democrats stood at 15 percent and the separatist Bloc Quebecois at 10 percent.


Newly minted Liberal leader Stephane Dion has made the environment his top priority and has sharpened his attack on what he says have been inadequate Conservative measures to arrest global warming.


"Do they want to pretend to do something?" he asked after the shuffle. "What Canada needs is a major shift."


As environment minister, Baird's task will be to put the Conservatives back on the offensive on environmental issues and he can be expected to finger the Liberals for letting emissions rise far above targets set by the Kyoto protocol.


"Canada has perhaps the worst record of any developed country in the world," said Harper. "We have a lot of work to do and this is not an easy file."


Baird is quick on his feet and is known for his aggressive attacks on the opposition during parliamentary debates. He takes credit for pushing through legislation to clean up government after the previous Liberal administration fell into disgrace over a corruption scandal.


Harper made reporters chuckle when he said that Baird, who can go red in the face as he parries opposition attacks, had his own communications style. But the prime minister promised the change would be substantive and not just cosmetic.


"Communications alone will not address the challenges that we face in terms of the environment and climate change in particular," he said.


Ambrose moved to minister of intergovernmental affairs, which involves promoting Canadian unity. She replaced Peter Van Loan, who took over as House leader from Rob Nicholson. Nicholson became justice minister replacing Vic Toews, who replaced Baird at the head of the Treasury Board.


David Emerson, who negotiated an end to Canada's long-standing softwood lumber dispute with the United States, stayed on as trade minister, while Peter MacKay remained foreign minister.


(Additional reporting by Louise Egan)


Source: Reuters


Contact Info:


Website :