OTTAWA, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has reshuffled his Cabinet, promoting two Toronto members of Parliament to senior positions, officials said.
Harper moved Peter Kent, minister of state for the Americas, into the controversial post of environment minister, the Toronto Star reported Tuesday.
Kent, elected to Parliament in October 2008 from a Toronto constituency, takes up the important Cabinet position after two years in a more junior job, and will take on the challenge of dealing with climate change and how to reconcile Canada's plans with those of the United States, the newspaper said.
Harper also appointed Julian Fantino to a junior Cabinet position, naming him minister of state for seniors.
Harper was "pleased to welcome" Fantino because seniors would be in "good hands" given Fantino's experience and judgment, he said.
The appointment of two Toronto members of Parliament to Cabinet posts shows a renewed determination by Harper to garner more voter support in that region, now dominated in the House of Commons by the Liberal Party, the Star said.
Since February 2006 Harper's Conservative Party has governed without holding a majority in the House of Commons, and needs the support of at least one opposition party to pass legislation and survive confidence votes to stay in power.
