Op-Ed: The Harper Shuffle - New Canadian Conservative Minority, New Faces at Play

According to some media reports, PM Harper is likely to head over to the Governor General's with a new cabinet as early as Oct. 22. Let us now begin a new speculative game: The Harper Shuffle!

Now that the election has passed, a new game begins for political enthusiasts and pundits alike. Harper's newest minority Conservative government features some fresh faces, some old ones, while some familiar ones have been replaced. Some high profile MPs will no doubt see themselves offered cabinet positions, so here begin the guessing games! Here are my personal predictions. I may be totally wrong, but this experiment is fun in itself! John Baird - MP for Ottawa West-Nepean Prediction: Foreign Affairs & International Trade This Conservative heavy weight has proven he can hold his own on the Environment file, but as the government proceeds to implement its Turning the Corner plan, I believe that Baird will be moved to another, more contentious government area, such as Foreign Affairs. This particularly in light of the world economic crisis which played a significant role in the campaign. Gerry Ritz - MP for Battlefords–Lloydminster Prediction: Veteran Affairs With his controversial remarks in the Listeriosis case and despite the fact that Harper maintained his confidence in his Minister, I believe that Ritz will be moved to a lower level ministry. David Anderson - MP for Cypress Hills--Grasslands Prediction: Agriculture With his experience in farming and being already familiar with the Agriculture file (having been Parliamentary Secretary) this Saskatchewan MP may inherit the portfolio from Ritz. Greg Thompson - MP for New Brunswick Southwest Prediction: Fisheries and Oceans Being one of the only cabinet ministers left in the Atlantic region, I believe that it may be Thompson's turn to inherit a file of great importance to the area, taking over for defeated Minister Hearn. Jason Kenney - MP for Calgary Southeast Prediction: Immigration Kenney is currently Secretary of State to Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity which seems like a easy jump to the immigration file. He is a strong cabinet player and shows promise, and I believe will be rewarded with a ministry for his excellent showing as a government spokesperson. Diane Finley - MP for Haldimand—Norfolk Prediction: Health The Minister has received some critiscm for the immigration reform she oversaw including some pretty vocal protests. She has experience in the health care field and herself dealing with a physical disability, she may be a good face for the portfolio.

Tony Clement - MP for Parry Sound–Muskoka Prediction: Human Resources This MP has represented the Heatlh portfolio for a while now, but I believe it may be time for a change since the government's work in that file has not really resonated with the public. I think he would be well suited to take over for former Minister Solberg, who did not seek re-election.

Christian Paradis - MP for Mégantic–L'Érable Prediction: Public Safety In an attempt to win over Quebec with its law and order agenda, I believe Harper may chose a higher profile Quebec MP with cabinet experience to lead this file, to show Quebec some good faith and potentially secure the support they enjoyed before the election. Stockwell Day - MP for Okanagan–Coquihalla Prediction: Intergovernmental Affairs I think the Minister would be a good candidate to take over this file, though it is currently handled by Rona Ambrose. With more cabinet-calibre members in the House, it may be time to separate some of these condensed portfolios. Minister Day has served in the Alberta legislature in a number of positions and could easily relate this experience to intergovernmental affairs. James Moore - MP for Port Moody–Westwood–Port Coquitlam Prediction: Public Works This other MP has also demonstrated a lot of skill and fierceness in dealing with difficult questions in the House of Commons. I believe it could be appropriate to assign this file to Moore, who deserves a ministry and who has already served as Parliamentary Secretary to this file.

Peter Kent - MP for Thornhill Prediction: Environment A big name, former news anchor on Global and having successfully pierced through the red blanket in the Greater Toronto Area, I definitely see something for him in the cards. He is clearly eloquent, respected and the closest representative for Toronto. He also holds the environment as one of his personal priorities, which could make him a good candidate. Ministers which I believed will retain their portfolios: Peter MacKay - MP for Central Nova - Defence Jim Flaherty - MP for Witby-Oshawa - Finance Rona Ambrose - MP for Edmonton-Spruce Grove - Privy Council Vic Toews - MP for Provencher - Treasury Board Jean-Pierre Blackburn - MP for Jonquière–Alma - Labour Jim Prentice - MP for Calgary North–Centre - Industry Bev Oda - MP for Durham - International Cooperation Rob Nicholson - MP for Niagara Falls - Justice Peter Van Loan - MP for York–Simcoe - Government House Leader Chuck Strahl - MP for Chilliwack–Fraser Canyon - Indian and Northern Affairs Lawrence Cannon - MP for Pontiac - Transport Josée Verner - MP for Louis-Hébert - Heritage Gordon O'Connor - MP for Carleton–Mississippi Mills - National Revenue Gary Lunn - MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands - Natural Resources