New Conservative cabinet to be sworn in Wednesday

OTTAWA – A new Conservative cabinet ready to wield the power of a majority government will be sworn in Wednesday.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Tuesday that Stephen Harper will announce the new lineup at the Governor General’s residence late in the morning.

The new team will have the luxury of seeing many more bills through and a smoother ride for cabinet priorities without the hurdles of a minority government.

Never one to go for major cabinet overhauls, the prime minister is expected to keep many of the same faces in their current roles including Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Environment Minister Peter Kent.

Still, Harper has several holes to fill to replace ministers who retired or were not re-elected. They include the Foreign Affairs, Treasury Board, Intergovernmental Affairs, Transport, Veterans Affairs and Sport portfolios.

Current House Leader John Baird, a strong House of Commons performer, is expected to vacate his position to take on new responsibilities.

Harper also lost representation from Quebec and British Columbia. In the former province, he’s likely to turn to former minister Maxime Bernier, as well as three-term Quebec City MP Steven Blaney.

In British Columbia, there is chatter about incumbent MPs Andrew Saxton and Cathy McLeod sitting in the front benches.

Bernard Valcourt of New Brunswick, a Mulroney-era minister, is widely believed to be up for a post, as is Newfoundland and Labrador newcomer Peter Penashue.

With only 28 women in the 166-member caucus, female MPs have better odds at landing in cabinet. Harper might shuffle some of his more senior women, including Rona Ambrose, Lisa Raitt and Bev Oda.

Harper is not expected to elevate many rookies, leaving them instead to gain more experience in Parliament. But a few stars from the 2011 election might wind up with posts.

Newly elected Ontario MP Kellie Leitch, a pediatric surgeon, is the source of much speculation, as is former Canadian diplomat Chris Alexander.

Harper will also have to decide how to best use some of his new crop of Toronto-area MPs.

Mark Adler, founder of the Economic Club of Canada, is a possibility, or bilingual investment dealer Joe Oliver. Mississauga, Ont., city councillor Eve Adams would come with a degree of political expertise.