Even Harper is at least paying more (token) attention to the environment than our own idiot child.
http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-01-04T200748Z_01_N04165915_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-CABINET-COL.XMLBy Randall Palmer
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Stung by criticism of its environmental policy and preparing for a possible election this year, Canada's government made sweeping changes to its cabinet on Thursday and promised to do more to fight climate change.
The environment was not one of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's main election priorities when he won a minority mandate a year ago, but a groundswell of concern, especially over global warming, has forced a new focus.
Harper picked John Baird, a fiery cabinet minister who oversaw the civil service, to replace embattled Environment Minister Rona Ambrose. He said she had done more in less than a year than the outgoing Liberals had in 12 years in power.
"But we recognize that, particularly when it comes to clean air and climate change, that Canadians expect a lot more. We've put an experienced minister into that portfolio," he said.
Harper addressed reporters outside his residence without an overcoat, rare in the world's third-coldest capital in January, as the temperature climbed to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit).
He made seven cabinet changes and added six secretaries of state, junior ministers who are not part of the full cabinet but who sit on cabinet committees and give greater visibility to the Conservative team.
Harper kept Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in his job as he drafts a budget, most likely to be delivered in February or March, that could trigger the next election.
One of the three opposition parties must back the budget or the government will fall. Harper said it was important to have the right team "as we face the possibility of an election."
He said he did not intend to call an election, and whether the other parties decide to pull the plug may depend partly on their poll standings.
The Conservatives had slipped marginally behind the Liberals in public support, partly over the environment, but the latest survey showed them pulling ahead again.
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