Paul Martin Sworn in as Canada's 21st Prime Minister - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenya · 12-12-2003, 11:21 AM

Paul Martin Sworn in as Canada's 21st Prime Minister

Friday December 12, 2003
CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA - Paul Martin was sworn in as Canada's 21st prime minister today and moved quickly to put his stamp on government by appointing a dramatically new cabinet and promising changes to the way the country is run.

Martin's cabinet will have two westerners - Ralph Goodale of Saskatchewan and Anne McLellan from Alberta - in the most senior portfolios as finance minister and deputy prime minister respectively.

The move is seen as a bid to woo western voters who have long been alienated from the Liberals.

Martin promised a "new approach" to government.

"As prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to rally Canadians toward a new sense of national purpose and around a new agenda of change and achievement," he said in a statement.

"We are going to change the way things work in Ottawa in order to re-engage Canadians in the political process and achieve demonstrable progress on our priorities."

Martin said he will focus on three goals:

- Strengthening social foundations.

- Fostering economic growth and creating well-paying jobs.

- Promoting Canada's role internationally.

Martin is also creating new super-departments, including public security, while trimming some traditional ministries.

In addition to deputy prime minister, McLellan will head up the new security super ministry.

McLellan had been health minister, while Goodale was in charge of public works.

Martin dropped 23 of the 38 members of Jean Chrétien's cabinet, retaining 15 veteran ministers and filling out the ranks with longtime backbench supporters. The size of cabinet - 39 members including the prime minister - does not change.

Among those ousted from cabinet: Sheila Copps from heritage, Lyle Vanclief from agriculture, Elinor Caplan from revenue, Martin Cauchon from justice and David Collenette from transport.

Among those kept on: David Anderson retains environment; Pierre Pettigrew will hold the dual portfolios of health and intergovernmental affairs; Bill Graham keeps foreign affairs; John McCallum is moved to veterans affair from defence; and Lucienne Robillard is shuffled to industry from Treasury Board.

Prominent newcomers include: Defence Minister David Pratt, Transport Minister Tony Valeri and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler.

Allan Rock, former industry minister, becomes Canada's ambassador to the United Nations.

Martin and his cabinet were sworn in at Rideau Hall by the clerk of the Privy Council less than an hour after Chrétien met with Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson to submit his resignation.

Just before the swearing-in, a native elder conducted a cleansing ceremony for Martin, fanning sweet-grass smoke over the incoming prime minister with an eagle feather. Martin has promised to make native poverty a priority.

Like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Canada's new Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Department will combine the tasks of several current bodies to oversee the RCMP, CSIS and border and port security.

Another major change is a beefed-up role for backbenchers who serve as parliamentary secretaries to ministers. Those secretaries will also be sworn in to the Privy Council, giving them some cabinet privileges.

One of the secretarial roles went to new Liberal Scott Brison, a young Nova Scotia MP who defected from the Tories this week.

The majority of the new ministers fought long and hard for Martin in his battle for the Liberal party leadership.

JONATHAN HAYWARD/CANADIAN
PRESS
Incoming Prime Minister
Paul Martin waves to
spectators as he arrives
at Rideau Hall this morning
prior to being sworn in.

M82A1 · 12-12-2003, 06:36 PM

Does Canada have a President? I don't know much about the Canadian Gub'mint.

Kitt · 12-12-2003, 08:21 PM

No, their basic equivalent is their Prime Minister. Maybe Jenya will fill us in some? She must been in a hurry when she posted this thread.

What's up with all that, Jenya?

Jenya · 12-12-2003, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kitt
No, their basic equivalent is their Prime Minister. Maybe Jenya will fill us in some? She must been in a hurry when she posted this thread.

What's up with all that, Jenya?

Yep. I was at my friend's computer. Mine was down all week, but my friend (who is the computer wiz), has temperory fixed it. We still need to get some bugs out of it. Hopefully it will be fully fixed by the end of this weekend.

As for the government, you can learn more on the Canadian Parlimentary system by clicking here.

12-12-2003, 11:21 AM	#1
Jenya Senior Member Supervisor Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,341	Paul Martin Sworn in as Canada's 21st Prime Minister Paul Martin Sworn in as Canada's 21st Prime Minister Friday December 12, 2003 CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA - Paul Martin was sworn in as Canada's 21st prime minister today and moved quickly to put his stamp on government by appointing a dramatically new cabinet and promising changes to the way the country is run. Martin's cabinet will have two westerners - Ralph Goodale of Saskatchewan and Anne McLellan from Alberta - in the most senior portfolios as finance minister and deputy prime minister respectively. The move is seen as a bid to woo western voters who have long been alienated from the Liberals. Martin promised a "new approach" to government. "As prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to rally Canadians toward a new sense of national purpose and around a new agenda of change and achievement," he said in a statement. "We are going to change the way things work in Ottawa in order to re-engage Canadians in the political process and achieve demonstrable progress on our priorities." Martin said he will focus on three goals: - Strengthening social foundations. - Fostering economic growth and creating well-paying jobs. - Promoting Canada's role internationally. Martin is also creating new super-departments, including public security, while trimming some traditional ministries. In addition to deputy prime minister, McLellan will head up the new security super ministry. McLellan had been health minister, while Goodale was in charge of public works. Martin dropped 23 of the 38 members of Jean Chrétien's cabinet, retaining 15 veteran ministers and filling out the ranks with longtime backbench supporters. The size of cabinet - 39 members including the prime minister - does not change. Among those ousted from cabinet: Sheila Copps from heritage, Lyle Vanclief from agriculture, Elinor Caplan from revenue, Martin Cauchon from justice and David Collenette from transport. Among those kept on: David Anderson retains environment; Pierre Pettigrew will hold the dual portfolios of health and intergovernmental affairs; Bill Graham keeps foreign affairs; John McCallum is moved to veterans affair from defence; and Lucienne Robillard is shuffled to industry from Treasury Board. Prominent newcomers include: Defence Minister David Pratt, Transport Minister Tony Valeri and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler. Allan Rock, former industry minister, becomes Canada's ambassador to the United Nations. Martin and his cabinet were sworn in at Rideau Hall by the clerk of the Privy Council less than an hour after Chrétien met with Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson to submit his resignation. Just before the swearing-in, a native elder conducted a cleansing ceremony for Martin, fanning sweet-grass smoke over the incoming prime minister with an eagle feather. Martin has promised to make native poverty a priority. Like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Canada's new Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Department will combine the tasks of several current bodies to oversee the RCMP, CSIS and border and port security. Another major change is a beefed-up role for backbenchers who serve as parliamentary secretaries to ministers. Those secretaries will also be sworn in to the Privy Council, giving them some cabinet privileges. One of the secretarial roles went to new Liberal Scott Brison, a young Nova Scotia MP who defected from the Tories this week. The majority of the new ministers fought long and hard for Martin in his battle for the Liberal party leadership. JONATHAN HAYWARD/CANADIAN PRESS Incoming Prime Minister Paul Martin waves to spectators as he arrives at Rideau Hall this morning prior to being sworn in. Last edited by Jenya : 12-12-2003 at 09:38 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-12-2003, 06:36 PM	#2
M82A1 Senior Member S.e.l.f B.a.n.n.e.d Join Date: May 18, 2003 Posts: 2,581	Does Canada have a President? I don't know much about the Canadian Gub'mint.

12-12-2003, 08:21 PM	#3
Kitt Senior Member James Dean Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,098	No, their basic equivalent is their Prime Minister. Maybe Jenya will fill us in some? She must been in a hurry when she posted this thread. What's up with all that, Jenya?