The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Shuffling The Cabinet Why do leaders shuffle or change cabinet ministers or opposition critics? Of course the standard answers are to prepare for re-election, get rid of or demote deadwood or to give the government a fresh face. Sometimes it is to give the appearance that the government is actually going to do something different or unexpected, or simply to emphasize the power of the prime minister, premier, or leader to keep the cabinet members loyal and the backbenchers in line. Jean Chretien comes to mind, especially during the Paul Martin fiasco. Jean shuffled the cabinet so often that Alliance leader Stephen Harper's quip "It looks like the gong show" made good sense. Chretien even dropped long-serving members, including Martin, into the backbenches which caused damage to the psyche of these honourable persons, and put a stop to the leadership ambitions of such people as Allan Rock and Sheila Copps who obviously feared the loss of power, influence and prestige provided by being in cabinet. Isn't it interesting that being elected as an MLA or MP can transform an ordinary (often very ordinary) man or woman into an exalted person? Their elevation to cabinet makes them close to a deity and if ever elected leader, look out, sainthood must be next! Grant Devine, former Premier of Saskatchewan was a master of the shuffle. Following the long established practice in the U.K., Devine frequently dropped cabinet members and elevated ordinary members to high office. The noticeable effect was the unusual loyalty to Devine by Tory MLAs. Attending a Saskatchewan PC convention was quite an experience for an outsider. The bowing, scraping and ring-kissing that went on by the members towards the Premier is not normally found among the more cynical Tories in Manitoba. Federally, expect a number of new ministers in Paul Martin's cabinet after Chretien steps down. Rumors are that more than 30 changes will be made and Martin supporters are clambering for recognition. One Chretien minister, Stefan Dion, made it public that if he is not in cabinet he'll quit. Bon voyage Stefan! In Manitoba, it is also not normal to have a cabinet minister dropped, regardless of performance. They are instead "shuffled" to a less demanding portfolio, or a new portfolio is created for them. Former Premier Filmon caused a stir a few years ago when he dropped Filmon loyalists Albert Dreidger and Jim Ernst, who were good at their jobs and replaced them with lesser-known others. He had previously dumped popular speaker Denis Rocan from his exalted position, antagonizing Rocan and his followers. Gary Doer's third-year shuffle was more true to Manitoba norms. Ministers in trouble, or less than successful, were given new responsibilities while the better ones were promoted. Tim Sale, Minister of Family Services and Housing, was chosen to head the new Energy and Technology Department as the government hoped to cash in on Kyoto. Sale, a church minister, was formerly an Associate Deputy Minister of Education in the Pawlley regime, the first non-educator in living memory to receive such an appointment. Sale's high profile helped him in the 2003 election as his area contains a lot of Tories and Liberals. Ron Lemieux, Tourism and Sports Minister, who was in trouble a few years ago as Gaming minister (his wife was a lawyer for an Indian band that was short-listed for a casino) was promoted? He was awarded the "meatgrinder" Education portfolio, inheriting the problems created, and unsolved, by Drew Caldwell. Caldwell received a demotion to Family Services and Housing. Doer obviously wanted Caldwell out of the limelight, and in any case he could win Brandon East, generally considered a "yellow dog" seat for the NDP. For the uninitiated, a "yellow dog" seat is one in which the favourite party could run a yellow dog and get elected. Caldwell's neighbouring seat, Brandon West, is another matter. Won in 1999 by former firefighter Scott Smith it had been a Tory stronghold. Smith was promoted to Transport Minister, increasing his profile. He easily held his seat in 2003. Environment Minister, Oscar Lathlin from The Pas, who never really got a handle on his portfolio, was, to his obvious relief, was shuffled to Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. Accused of incompetence and mired in controversy since his appointment to cabinet, Lathlin, a former OCN chief, would seem to be ideal for the new job, however he has had to date new problems in his new position. After winning the June election, Doer promised to again shuffle the cabinet, which he kept on November 4, adding five new faces around the table. Drew Caldwell was dropped, ostensibly for health reasons and ministers in high priority posts Ð health, finance, justice, energy, and agriculture remained the same. Steve Ashton became Water Resources Minister, increasing his profile while Gimli's Peter Bjornoson replaced Lemieux in Education. Lemieux had done a respectable job but was again demoted to the safe Government Services and Transportation. The opposition was not impressed, questioning why Rosann Wowchuk was left in Agriculture after her mishandling of the "mad cow" issue, and why David Chomiak was left in Health after several miscues. They also reminded voters that Doer had promised them to run a "meaner and leaner government" after 1999, but since has added three new ministers. One appointment that will raise some eyebrows is openly gay MLA for Assiniboia, Jim Rondeau, who was given the minor portfolio of Healthy Living. Are you trying to tell us something Gary Doer? Doer promises more changes before the next election which is hardly surprising, but don't expect many (if any) dropped to the back benches.
