OTTAWA—Southern Ontario will carry more clout than ever before in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government after a cabinet shuffle that put Conservatives from the region in charge of most economic portfolios as well as the key posts of defence and transport.

With the Conservatives’ political fortunes in Quebec at a low ebb, Harper appears to be turning to Ontario to try to lay the groundwork for another majority mandate in 2015, led once again by the old Mike Harris gang from Queen’s Park — Jim Flaherty at finance, John Baird at foreign affairs and Tony Clement in charge of budget-cutting at Treasury Board.

As well, the cabinet shuffle brought a major vote of confidence in Chris Alexander, the rookie member of parliament for Ajax—Pickering, who was promoted to the much-coveted and influential immigration portfolio.

“It’s a huge honour,” Alexander said as he emerged from Rideau Hall after the ceremony. “This is a field on which Canada depends for its economic prosperity and we have to get it right.”

Lisa Raitt, the MP from Halton who won praise from Conservatives running the labour department, takes on transport, a daunting assignment in the wake of the Quebec train disaster.

And Kellie Leitch, a first-term MP from Simcoe—Grey riding, has been elevated to the cabinet, taking charge of labour as well as the status of women post. And Rob Nicholson, the veteran Conservative from the riding of Niagara Falls, takes over at defence after six years as justice minister.

Other Ontario MPs at the cabinet table include Public Works Minister Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk) and Toronto MP Joe Oliver, who stays on as natural resources minister.

The prime minister said the shuffle marked a “generational” change in the cabinet ranks as younger MPs were promoted, taking the place of older ministers who had stepped aside.

“I think this is a good mixture of some young and promising talent we have in our caucus and some experienced hands,” Harper said.

He said he was especially proud of the “strong and capable women” in the cabinet.

Manitoba MP Shelly Glover, a former police officer, got a big promotion, named minister of Canadian heritage and official languages, replacing James Moore who also got a big step up with a move to industry.

Kerry-Lynne Findlay becomes new national revenue minister, a step up from her post as associate defence minister, and Leona Aglukkaq takes on environment, replacing Peter Kent. Rona Ambrose, who was at public works, was named health minister.

Alberta MP Michelle Rempel, beaming as she arrived at Rideau Hall, was named Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

“To the young women of this country, we can make it in #cdnpoli. Run for office,” Rempel tweeted soon after her promotion was announced.

Conservatives pitched the theme of the shuffle as “steady hands and new faces.” But key portfolios pointedly saw no change — Jim Flaherty stayed at finance; John Baird at foreign affairs; Oliver at natural resources; Ed Fast at international trade; and Clement at Treasury Board.

Peter MacKay and Rob Nicholson simply swapped posts: MacKay takes over as justice minister and Nicholson heading a defence department that is tightening its belt.

New Democrat MP Megan Leslie accused Harper of simply “shuffling deck chairs.”

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Jason Kenney, Harper’s long-time immigration minister who is credited with the Conservative success among new Canadians, got a newly named portfolio — employment and social development, which takes the place of human resources and skills development.

It was not a great day for Quebec MPs. Industry Minister Christian Paradis was demoted to minister of international development. And Denis Lebel lost a chunk of his portfolio — transport — to Raitt, while keeping responsibility for infrastructure and communities.

Only Steven Blaney had something to smile about as he was named the public safety minister, a promotion from his previous post at veterans affairs, a job that now falls to Vaughan MP Julian Fantino.

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