Prime Minister Stephen Harper has again called on John Baird to plug a hole in his cabinet, moving him Friday morning into the tricky post of Government House Leader where his job will be to push through the government’s agenda in a testy minority Parliament.
Chuck Strahl is replacing Mr. Baird as Transport Minister. John Duncan, a veteran B.C. MP and Mr. Strahl’s parliamentary secretary, is being promoted to the Indian Affairs portfolio.
This is the second time this year the Prime Minister has shuffled his cabinet. It was precipitated by former House leader Jay Hill’s decision not to run in the next election.
The choice of Mr. Baird is notable as he is considered a partisan attack dog. He often fills in for Mr. Harper when the Prime Minister is away from the Commons and his pointed answers tend to get under the opposition’s skin.
He is not the most likely choice for a post that requires an ability to compromise in negotiation with the opposition parties. However, by putting such a divisive politician into the job, the Prime Minister may be signalling he wants to push full-steam ahead on his agenda this sitting.
"I gave John a very clear message to implement our economic action plan and to ensure that we stay the course," Mr. Harper said in a press conference after the shuffle.
"John has the confidence and respect of his colleagues to make things go forward. I have full faith in John and this is why I gave him this important role."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper emerges from Rideau Hall to announce his tweaks to cabinet on Aug. 6, 2010.— Steven Chase/The Globe and Mail
The Conservatives are spinning the shuffle as one aimed at "making Parliament work" to avoid a fall election. The news release notes that Mr. Baird “was recently named 'Parliamentarian of the Year', an award decided by votes of MPs and Senators from all parties."
Mr. Baird not only fills in for the Prime Minister in the House, but also as a date for his wife, Laureen at gala events, which Mr. Harper tends to avoid. In fact, Mr. Baird was Mrs. Harper's date at the National Arts Center gala in which the Prime Minister surprised everyone by playing the piano and singing a Beatles tune.
John Duncan, meanwhile, is a veteran of the Reform Party, first elected in 1993. His promotion to cabinet keeps the number of ministers from British Columbia stable at five in the wake of Mr. Hill’s departure.
In his news release, the Prime Minister noted that Mr. Duncan’s “solid work” under Mr. Strahl, “makes him a natural choice for this important role” at Indian Affairs.
The opposition was muted in its reaction to the move.
Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale had a good working relationship with Jay Hill. It was based on “trust,” he told The Globe from his Saskatchewan riding Friday.
He is hoping for the same with Mr. Baird but he is being cautious. “It depends, I think, from day to day which John Baird comes to the meeting.”
The Liberal MP explained: “On some days, John has that very partisan, rough and tumble, over the top approach, no holds barred, take no prisoners, scorched earth policy. And on other days, he can be quite calm.”
Like the Conservatives have said, Mr. Goodale added, voters aren’t interested in heading to the polls. Instead, they want government to deliver on issues that affect their pocketbooks.
“I hope we can develop a decent working relationship,” he said of his new partner across the floor. “I’m going to take it one day at a time and at the bottom line try to do what is right for Canadians.”
Mr. Baird telephoned Mr. Goodale on Friday afternoon to say he shared that view and is looking forward to making Parliament work together.
