THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has filled a vacant cabinet post at the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
Bernard Valcourt, previously a secretary of state for the Francophonie, steps into the void left when John Duncan suddenly resigned last week after improperly writing to a tax court on behalf of a constituent.
Valcourt, a former minister in the 1980s Conservative government of Brian Mulroney, takes over Aboriginal Affairs at a challenging time, with the prime minister having promised to address long-standing treaty and rights issues that prompted an autumn of national protests.
A second meeting between Harper and Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has yet to be announced despite a high-profile promise more than month ago that a speedy follow-up was warranted.
Duncan’s resignation and Valcourt’s promotion prompted a minor cabinet shuffle, with Veterans Affairs Minister Stephen Blaney taking on the Francophonie and Revenue Minister Gail Shea adding responsibility for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Shea issued a statement shortely after the announcement.
“As a proud Maritimer I know that Atlantic Canada has an important role to play in the creation of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in the Canadian economy and our government’s investments are helping Atlantic Canadians seize new opportunities to build more competitive, innovative and productive businesses,” wrote Shea.
Kerry-Lynne Findlay, a B.C. MP, was promoted from the backbench to associate minister of Defence.
The moves precede what many anticipate will be a more significant cabinet shake-up later this year as Harper positions his Conservatives — after more than seven years in government — for the 2015 election campaign.
