Login / RegisterBernard Valcourt replaces John Duncan as minister of aboriginal affairs and northern development
Bernard Valcourt shakes hands with Stephen Harper.
Jason Ransom/PMO
A New Brunswick Conservative MP is Canada's new minister of aboriginal affairs and northern development.
In a small cabinet shuffle today (Febraury 22), Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Madawaska-Restigouche MP Bernard Valcourt to the post recently vacated by Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan.
Valcourt had held the post of associate minister of national defence. Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay has been appointed to that position.
Duncan resigned on February 15 over a "not appropriate" letter sent to the Tax Court of Canada on behalf of a constituent.
He had drawn criticism for his muted response to the rise of the Idle No More movement.
The appointment of an associate minister from a ministry (defense) that has virtually nothing to do with aboriginal affairs?
Sadly, most senior Conservative politicians would regard Aboriginal Affairs as a major demotion, so the options were probably limited. But that says a lot too, doesn't it?