Posted on 02/06/2006 9:29:09 AM PST by GMMAC
Harper is sworn in as prime minister © Canadian Press 2006
Canadian Press via National Post
Monday, February 06, 2006
OTTAWA -- Stephen Harper, who was dismissed less than two years ago as unelectable, has been sworn in as the country's 22nd prime minister.
Harper, clutching his personal Bible, was sworn in Monday by Alex Himelfarb, clerk of the Privy Council, as his wife Laureen and their two young childen, Ben and Rachel, watched proudly.
Harper arrived at Rideau Hall less than an hour after Paul Martin resigned, marking the end of a troubled two-year tenure that saw the scandal-plagued Liberals humbled by a resurgent Conservative party.
The biggest surprise was the presence of former Liberal industry minister David Emerson, who crossed the floor to join the Tory cabinet as minister of international trade.
Another shock was the appointment of Michael Fortier, a key party organizer in Quebec, as public works minister, because Fortier is not an MP.
Other top cabinet ministers include: Jim Flaherty at finance, Peter MacKay at foreign affairs, Vic Toews at justice, Gordon O'Connor at defence, Tony Clement at health, Maxime Bernier at industry, John Baird at Treasury Board and Rob Nicholson as House leader and democratic reform minister.
The 27-member cabinet, which includes six women, is much leaner than the 39 positions the Liberals had, and drops the post of deputy prime minister.
The new cabinet ministers arrived in cars and taxis -- an apparent effort to show that they're closer to the people than the Liberals, who used limousines.
Emerson's defection was the best kept secret of a tightly guarded cabinet list. He was recruited by Martin to run in the 2004 election in Vancouver and he won that seat again in the Jan. 23 election.
His appointment gives the Conservatives a badly needed presence in one of the country's three biggest cities where they failed to win a single seat in the Jan. 23 election.
The choice of Fortier, a former president of the now-defunct Progressive Conservative party, is an attempt to build support in Quebec Harper boasted in a news release that his new smaller cabinet is "designed for work, not for show."
"The 26 ministers are equal members of the team, ensuring equal voices from all regions of Canada," he said in the release.
"The structure is designed to promote accountable, efficient and effective government -- more focus and purpose; less process and cost." Cabinet choices have to reflect regions, gender, ethnicity and other political concerns.
Harper reafirmed his commitment to focus on five key priorities:
-- Clean up government with the Federal Accountability Act.
-- Lower taxes starting with cut to the GST.
-- Strengthen the justice system.
-- Support child-care choices.
-- Establish medical wait-time guarantees.
"Our mission is clear," Harper said in his release. "We will restore faith and trust in our public institutions as we keep Canada strong and united." Three high-profile MPs who were touted for cabinet spots were notably absent: Diane Ablonczy, Jason Kenney and James Moore.
Nicholson, who represents Niagara Falls, Ont., is the only minister with previouse experience in a federal cabinet, having served in Brian Mulroney's cabinet.
Flaherty, a former Ontario finance minister, was a longtime lawyer with a practice on Toronto's Bay Street, giving him the kind of connections that should help reassure the barons of Canada's financial capital.
MacKay's assignment to the foreign affairs portfolio follows something of a tradition in Canadian politics that has seen party leaders giving the post to their formal rivals for the leadership. Jean Chretien was given the job after he lost the Liberal leadership to John Turner in 1984. Joe Clark was made minister of foreign affairs by Brian Mulroney.
Marjory LeBreton's appointment as leader of the government in the Senate is sure to be popular among Conservatives. LeBreton has served every Conservative leader since John Diefenbaker.
LeBreton had a distant relationship with Harper for years. His move toward the political centre coincided with Harper's reaching out to more moderate conservatives such as LeBreton.
Harper asked her to join him during the recent election campaign, where she served as a cool, experienced adviser to the new prime minister.
LOL!
What about every thing you've said?
;-)
The media did not make this clear in their reporting. You should have heard Michael Harris (CFRA 580) lambasting Harper, calling him every kind of hypocrite.
It's bothering me too.
They were sucked in by a liberal (Belinda) before,
why do it again?
He's right, he's a hypocrite, plain and simple.
I think if Mr. Emerson were to be like Ms. Stronich he would have to be dating Hillary Clinton AND leave his wife within minutes of crossing the floor. sarc
I tend to judge people in public office more by what they DO than by what they SAY.
IMHO, Harper has acted like the sort who will appoint people to positions that he thinks they can effectively discharge, and if they demonstrate that they cannot, won't leave them there long enough to find need for the bathroom.
The dude's just about to get in the saddle; don't count him as bucked off too soon.
ROFLOL!
I'm not sure what to think ... yet. I'll wait for the justification from Harper. One can't equate this to what Belinda did. While they both ended up on the other side of the floor, I doubt that their means are identical.
My DH makes the same point.
Harper has picked the best person for the job, putting Canada's needs ahead of his parties needs
Indeed, that Harper would not have done this if not for a very good reason, the right reason.
To think that only one year ago I was telling my DH to give Harper a chance! LOL.
Also, he has to dance drunk on a table at an Ottawa night club tonight while billing it to his expense account.
Bwawaaawaaa!
OK, OK!
Oh, I like that!
Thank you, GMMAC!
That's a nice photo of Prime Minister Harper from the government website. According to the website the House of Commons will be called back on April 3.
Toronto today must feel like New York City after President Bush's first inauguration. Most New Yorkers were walking with their heads down, while the usually silent conservative minority was very happy.
Congratulations!
The media is already on the attack. How many times have they remarked on the lack of females?
They (women) make up more one quarter of the cabinet. Craig Oliver on CTV was commenting that proportionally, it's still better than any cabinet the liberals had come up with in that regard.
But I'm glad to see that he didn't put together a 'show cabinet' and attempt to appease every visible minority or fringe group regardless of qualifications, or lack thereof.
To do so would be comparable to Bill Clinton's appointment of Janet Reno just for the sake of having a woman in that post. Harper picked the people best suited for their respective portfolios.
Oh, and Rona Ambrose ain't bad looking either.
Great shot.
Harper must watch his back from the senior civil service. Each one is a liberal and his little fiefdom is threatened by Harper. How to act? Cut the size and scope of government. Less to "fief" over and less to steal from.
Harper is setting up the next election already. It will be Greater Toronto Area vs. the ROC (rest of Canada)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.