Peter Kent promoted and Julian Fantino appointed - meaning limousines and drivers for two GTA MPs. That and all the intangible benefits ministers of the Crown have when it comes to dealing with constituents and getting re-elected. The power of incumbency.
Stephen Harper has appointed Toronto MP Peter Kent as Environment Minister, giving the former TV broadcaster the task of selling the Conservatives' controversial approach to fighting climate change. He's also given former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner Julian Fantino a junior cabinet post, making him minister of state for seniors.
link: Peter Kent named Environment Minister in Tory cabinet shuffle - The Globe and Mail
As the fifth environment minister since the Harper government took office, Kent should not be pleased. The portfolio has never been, and probably never will be, a priority for the PM. All the confirmation that is needed comes in the choice of a junior in his first term as an MP. While technically a promotion, the previous post at External Affairs was arguably the better gig.
Minister of State for Seniors; hardly a priority of the government or significant to federal jurisdiction but a safe place to tuck away an inexperienced up-start politician with a big ego who needs to be kept under control. Cabinet solidarity and management by the Privy Council Office should help keep him from embarrassing the government and out of trouble.
The reality is, the PM needs to counter the criticism he faced for having no representation from Toronto or the GTA in his first government. He now has a solid band of ministers across the top of the region who can be exploited to great advantage whenever the next election happens.
Not a bad move politically, but Kent and Fantino should not be too flattered.
