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But the halo has slipped, in light of the recent claims that he was guilty of some unwanted touching at a music festival in British Columbia nearly 20 years ago — an allegation that would surely have seen him booted from cabinet, were he not the one doing the booting.

So there is every likelihood that the prime minister will return to the well next week and promote some young women, preferably those who also boost the “diversity” quotient in cabinet.

The problem, at least on the surface, is that there are few vacancies and as much as the prime minister might like to retire one or two of his underperforming ministers, the prospect of a second-term majority means they are less enthusiastic about the idea than he is.

It may be that one or two do not run again — there are rumours around agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay, but if he goes, he will be replaced by another Liberal MP from Prince Edward Island — and they are all men.

There are two potential vacancies: House leader Bardish Chagger is also small business and tourism minister; science minister Kirsty Duncan has been doing double-duty as minister for sport and disabilities since Kent Hehr was demoted after allegations of sexual harassment.

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Sources are tipping Mary Ng, a close friend of chief-of-staff Katie Telford who won a byelection in Markham, Ont., to be elevated. Other backbenchers from Ontario whose stars are rising include Whitby MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Ruby Sahota, MP for Brampton North and Kim Rudd, who represents the rural riding of Northumberland-Peterborough South.