Prime Minister Stephen Harper named B.C.'s regional minister, James Moore, as Canada's minister of industry as part of a cabinet shuffle July 15.
Moore had been minister of Canadian heritage and he moves to a ministry that is considered one of the government's key economic portfolios.
He will oversee the federal government's economic development and corporate affairs department. He is also responsible for Statistics Canada and will serve as the registrar general of Canada.
The last B.C. MP to serve as industry minister was David Emerson in 2006.
Other B.C. MPs in the cabinet include:
- Abbotsford MP Ed Fast, who remains minister of international trade;
- Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan, who is government whip;
- Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who is minister of national revenue; and
- Richmond MP Alice Wong, minister of state for seniors.
The cabinet shuffle was billed as the biggest transition that the Prime Minister has made in years. But several key ministers kept their portfolios, including:
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty;
- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird; and
- Treasury Board president Tony Clement.
Some of the changes are widely seen to be spurred by Harper's desire to appeal more to youth and women. Four women newcomers are:
- Minister of Canadian Heritage Shelly Glover;
- Minister of Labour and the Status of Women Kellie Leitch;
- Minister of State for Western Diversification Michelle Rempel; and
- Minister of State for Social Development, Candice Bergen.
Longtime ministers who have new roles include:
- former minister for citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism Jason Kenney becoming minister of employment and social development;
- former minister of defence Peter MacKay becoming minister of justice;
- former minister of justice Rob Nicholson becoming minister of defence; and
- former minister of public works and government services Rona Ambrose becoming minister of health.
Some of the others in cabinet include:
- Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt;
- Minister of the Environment Leona Aglukkaq; and
- Minister of Public Works Diane Finlay.
