The following is the press release from the Prime Minster’s Office, issued this morning:
PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE MINISTRY
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the following changes to the Ministry:
· the Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson becomes Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada;
· the Honourable Marjory LeBreton takes on additional duties as Secretary of State (Seniors), in addition to her responsibilities as Leader of the Government in the Senate;
· the Honourable Monte Solberg becomes Minister of Human Resources and Social Development;
· the Honourable Vic Toews becomes President of the Treasury Board;
· the Honourable Rona Ambrose becomes President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification;
· the Honourable Diane Finley becomes Minister of Citizenship and Immigration;
· the Honourable John Baird becomes Minister of the Environment; and
· the Honourable Peter Van Loan becomes Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform.
In addition, the Prime Minister announced the appointment to the Ministry of six new Secretaries of State, including the cross-appointment of Minister LeBreton as Secretary of State (Seniors):
· the Honourable Jay D. Hill is appointed Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip;
· the Honourable Jason Kenney has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity);
· the Honourable Gerry Ritz has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism);
· the Honourable Helena Guergis has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport); and
· the Honourable Christian Paradis has been sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and is appointed Secretary of State (Agriculture).
The newly appointed Secretaries of State will be members of the Ministry and will be bound by Cabinet solidarity, but will not be members of Cabinet (Senator LeBreton will remain a full Cabinet Minister). Each will attend the meetings of the appropriate Cabinet Committee, in light of his or her responsibilities.