Make Parliament work to avoid unnecessary Election: Prime Minister

August 06, 2010

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says making Parliament work is essential if Canada is to avoid an unnecessary election that would jeopardize our economic recovery.
 
“The economy remains the number one priority of Canadians and of our Government,” said the Prime Minister. “An unnecessary election is the last thing that Canadians need, that the economy needs, at this time.”
 
To advance the objective of making Parliament work, the Prime Minister today announced the appointment of one of his most experienced, senior Ministers to the position of Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.  The Honourable John Baird has a mandate to work cooperatively with the other parties and make Parliament function.
 
“Canadians need Parliament to work so that Canada's Economic Action Plan is not interrupted," said the Prime Minister.  “We want to do our part and to work cooperatively with all opposition parties to put the economy first.”
 
This crucial role is the latest of many in which Minister Baird has served with distinction.  He secured passage of the landmark Federal Accountability Act, served as Minister of the Environment, and most recently, oversaw the implementation of infrastructure stimulus, a vital part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
 
Others changes made as part of today's fine-tuning of the Cabinet are as follows:

•   The Honourable Chuck Strahl succeeds Mr.. Baird as Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
•   The Honourable John Duncan, of British Columbia, enters the Cabinet by succeeding Mr. Strahl as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

 
“Minister Strahl will take on his new responsibilities with the same dedication and hard work that he's shown in his previous portfolios,” said the Prime Minister.  His immediate priority is the ongoing implementation of the infrastructure stimulus component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
 
In announcing the appointment of the newest member of his Cabinet, the Prime Minister noted that “John Duncan’s solid work as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development makes him a natural choice for this important role, allowing him to continue to build on the important work that Chuck Strahl and our Government have done in this area.”
 
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the former Government House Leader, the Honourable Jay Hill.  Earlier this summer Mr. Hill announced that he will not stand as a candidate at the next general election following 17 years of elected service to his constituents and Canadians.
 
Mr. Baird was recently named “Parliamentarian of the Year,” an award decided by votes of MPs and Senators from all parties.
 
 

 
Backgrounder

The Honourable John Baird
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Ottawa West–Nepean (Ontario)

John Baird was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. In February 2006, Mr. Baird was sworn in as President of the Treasury Board. In this role, he championed accountability and anti-corruption in government with the enactment of the new Federal Accountability Act. In January 2007, he was named Minister of the Environment and in October 2008 he was appointed Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Prior to entering federal politics, Mr. Baird was a member of Ontario’s provincial legislature, where he served the constituency of Nepean–Carleton from 1995 to 2005. During that time, he was Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister of Francophone Affairs, Minister Responsible for Children and Government House Leader.

Mr. Baird is a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, an honorary member of the Nepean Kiwanis and a lifetime member of Canada’s largest Association for Community Living.

He is a graduate of Queen’s University.
 
The Honourable John Duncan
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Vancouver Island North (British Columbia)
 
John Duncan was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 and re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2008. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in November 2008.
 
Mr. Duncan previously held a number of opposition critic positions, including for Indian Affairs and Northern Development, International Trade, and Natural Resources. From 2006 to 2007, he worked as Pacific Region Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.From 1972 to 1993, Mr. Duncan worked in the coastal BC forest industry.
 
Mr. Duncan attended the University of British Columbia and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the Faculty of Forestry in 1972. He and his wife, Mary, have three children.
 
The Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Chilliwack–Fraser Canyon (British Columbia)

Chuck Strahl was first elected to Parliament in 1993. He was re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008. In February 2006, Mr. Strahl was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. In August 2007, he was named Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. Strahl was a partner in a successful road construction and logging contracting firm, and held the responsibility of managing several operations throughout the Fraser Valley.

Mr. Strahl has lived his entire life in the Fraser Valley. He and his wife Deb have four children and six grandchildren.