OTTAWA, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper shuffled 12 of 38 portfolios in his Conservative Cabinet in Ottawa Tuesday.
None of the senior positions critical to the minority government's economic recovery or disaster response in Haiti were affected, with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon and Defense Minister Peter MacKay retaining their posts, Sun Media reported.
On the economic side, Harper promoted former Alberta Finance Minister Stockwell Day to head the Treasury Board, the Globe and Mail reported. Day formerly was the minister for international trade.
Harper oversaw the swearing-in of the new ministers at the residence of Governor General Michaelle Jean after the announcements, the newspaper group reported.
Late in December, Harper arranged for Parliament to be suspended until March 3 instead of reconvening Jan. 25, saying the extra time was needed to craft the country's economic recovery course after last year's recession.
