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Prime Minister Stephen Harper is set to shuffle his cabinet Friday, but no senior portfolios are expected to change hands, CBC News has learned.
Up to three cabinet ministers are expected to change jobs in the minor shuffle, prompted by the impending departure of Jay Hill. The Conservative government's House leader announced last month that he will not seek re-election in the next federal vote.
CBC News has learned that Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl could take over the role of House leader. Strahl may be replaced by his current parliamentary secretary, B.C. MP John Duncan.
Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl could take over the role of House leader in Friday's cabinet shuffle. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press) Both Strahl and Duncan were seen arriving at Rideau Hall on Friday morning in separate vehicles. Transport Minister John Baird, whose name was also mentioned as a possible replacement for Hill as House leader, arrived shortly after Strahl.
There is also speculation that Manitoba MP Shelly Glover, currently parliamentary secretary for official languages, may take over the role of minister of state for the status of women.
Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose took over that role following the resignation of Helena Guergis, who was booted out of caucus in April after the prime minister said he learned of "serious" allegations about her conduct.
The moves come a day after Harper spoke at his party's annual summer caucus meeting, where he told Conservatives to stay focused on the economy. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Treasury Board President Stockwell Day are set to give speeches Friday morning at the same time the shuffle will take place — suggesting they will stay put in their roles.
"I think it's important for the prime minister to send a signal to Canadians and to the markets that nothing is changing about their approach of trying to reduce the deficit and continue this last year of stimulus spending," the CBC's Chris Hall reported.
The shuffle also comes as a new Ekos poll suggests the Conservatives' lead over the Liberals among potential voters appears to have dried up, with both parties virtually tied at the same level of support.
Harper last shuffled his cabinet in January, a move that was described by the Prime Minister's Office as "fine-tuning" as none of the major portfolios was reassigned.
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Orders of the Day - Whither the F-35 inquiry at Public Accounts? by Kady O'Malley May. 31, 2012 9:11 AM Public Accounts committee meets behind closed doors to debate fate of procurement investigation
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