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. . . . .Some might say with this new collage of crooks anxious to get their hands into the cookie jars . . . .

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Jul. 20, 2004. 05:04 PM

CHRIS WATTIE/REUTERS
Nova Scotia MP Scott Brison, left, and Prime Minister Paul Martin share a laugh last December after Brison jumped ship to the Liberals. Today, Brison was rewarded with the public works cabinet post.

Martin goes with experience
Group of hand-picked star rookies includes one former NDP premier

CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin blended experience with a group of hand-picked star rookies today as he formed the cabinet that will guide his minority Liberal government.
Eight new faces enter the 39-member cabinet, including former B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh, B.C. forestry executive David Emerson, former NHL great Ken Dryden, turncoat Tory Scott Brison and long-serving backbencher John Godfrey.

A couple of key portfolios remain in experienced hands: Ralph Goodale stays on as finance minister, Anne McLellan remains deputy prime minister and public safety minister.

"The recent election made it clear that Canadians expect us to do better as a government," Martin said after leaving Rideau Hall where the cabinet was sworn in. "We heard the message and we carry it with us."

Martin stressed the experience factor - both among stalwarts and newcomers - in the executive.

"This cabinet was created to hit the ground running - to provide dependable, spirited administration, to deliver real progress on the issues that matter most to Canadians," he said.

Martin lost six cabinet ministers in last month's election, when voters reduced the Liberals to a 135-seat minority in the 308-seat House of Commons.

The prime minister axed four more ministers today - including long-serving members David Anderson and Denis Coderre. Also gone are junior ministers Denis Paradis and Jean Augustine.

Despite Anderson's demotion, British Columbia has a record five MPs in cabinet as Martin makes good on his effort to shift federal power westward.

Returning to cabinet after absences are Stephane Dion, the former intergovernmental affairs minister under Chrétien who takes over at Environment, and Raymond Chan, who assumes a ministry of state for multiculturalism.

New faces in key positions are Dossanjh at Health, Emerson at Industry and Brison at Public Works.

Dryden takes over Social Development while Godfrey becomes a minister of state for infrastructure and communities, where he will be expected to help guide Martin's much-vaunted cities agenda.

Bill Graham, the former foreign affairs minister, moves to Defence - a post emptied when David Pratt lost his seat June 28. Pierre Pettigrew replaces Graham at Foreign.

Cabinet veteran Lucienne Robillard becomes minister of intergovernmental affairs, while Liza Frulla takes over Heritage.

Lapierre was given Transport, as Tony Valeri left that post to take on the key role of House Leader in what will be a fractious minority parliament with heavy horse-trading.

Irwin Cotler remains in the justice portfolio, Geoff Regan stays in his job at fisheries and Reg Alcock continues as president of the Treasury Board. Judy Sgro held on at Immigration. Andy Scott moved up to Indian Affairs and Andy Mitchell takes over at Agriculture.

Martin's cabinet began Tuesday with 38 members. It was bumped up to 39 later after a judicial recount in the Western Arctic riding of Ethel Blondin-Andrew was dropped. She was named junior minister for northern development.

Or carrying on our tradition of fence sitting?

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