A cabinet of one, expands...

(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has unveiled his new lineup of cabinet ministers -- a process Harper described as "fine tuning."

Stockwell Day becomes president of the Treasury Board, where he'll team up with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to try to slay the ballooning deficit.

Most interesting is not Day's ascendancy, which has been underway for some time. But the degree to which Harper boasted about his cabinet stars today, including Day, may signal a shift towards portraying his government as a team - not a single, at times heavy-handed commander-in-chief.

Here's how Harper introduced Day, who may still have some leadership aspirations of his own, wet-suit notwithstanding: "A former provincial treasurer who has distinguished himself in every portfolio he has held." 

Of course, Day has a tough job ahead, but so does Harper. As the economy improves, so will discontent about the more than $50 billion price tag of his stimulus package.

Day signalled he will work to balance the budget and promote Canada's economy in the wake of a crippling recession.

"Canada's economy is a strong one," he said.

David Zussman is an expert in public sector management at the University of Ottawa.

"(Day's promotion) is very significant because it brings him into the inner circle around the discussions," he says. "Treasury Board, as the department responsible for spending, will have a significant say in the upcoming budget."

Of course, while some ministers' profiles go up, others by necessity go down.

Lisa Raitt is a case in point. Touted as a big star when she was first appointed, Raitt has drawn tough criticism for her handling of an isotope shortage, and for her inappropriate comments about her fellow cabinet-mates.

At the same time, another female minister is getting a leg up once again. Rona Ambrose, who was once removed from the Environment file for weak performance, now gets a second chance at a major portfolio: Public Works.

But on balance, more women were demoted than promoted. Diane Ablonczy moves from tourism and small business to the seniors file, an even lower-profile assignment. Ablonczy clears the tourism and small business portfolio for a backbencher that Harper also went out of his way to praise: Rob Moore of New Brunswick. 

And Harper promoted two members of his Quebec caucus. Former revenue minster Jean-Pierre Blackburn will take on the more visible role of veterans affairs minister. And former public works minister Christian Paradis moves up to natural resources, where he'll handle tough files like nuclear energy and oil sands development.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff dismissed the shuffle and Harper's attempt to make his star players more prominent.

"It's a one-man show," he said. "I think there's never been a cabinet so under the domination of the prime minister's office. We don't think that's good for Canadian democracy. And we think the sign of that is the prorogation of Parliament."

Certainly, today's shift in tone is just that - a shift in tone. And it doesn't necessarily mean additional clout for Harper's key players. But perhaps the prime minister wants to broaden his government's public face as it confronts the tough fiscal choices of the coming months and years.