Appeared in the Toronto Star on August 26, 2007 as Time to Rethink Canadian Heritage's Mandate The recent decision to shift Bev Oda out of the Canadian Heritage portfolio was one of the cabinet shuffle's worst kept secrets. Oda was labeled by many commentators as a weak Minister – the […]
Post Tagged with: "canadian heritage"
The Politics of Culture
The Toronto Star's Martin Knelman provides a good analysis of the thinking behind the promotion of Josée Verner to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, focusing on the celebrations in Quebec City in 2008 marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Samuel de Champlain.
The Cabinet Shuffle
As expected, the Conservative government shuffled its cabinet this afternoon with major changes to several of the Ministries that figure prominently in digital issues. Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda has been replaced by Josée Verner, Industry Minister Maxime Bernier has moved to Foreign Affairs, with Jim Prentice taking over the Industry file. What does this mean for copyright, telecommunications, and other digital issues?
It is tempting to say very little – the Prime Minister is viewed as having a hand in all key policy issues and given the likely controversy surrounding copyright reform, telecommunications issues such as the spectrum auction, and lawful access, PM Harper will have much to say about the final policy no matter who serves as Minister.
That said, individual Ministers clearly place their own stamp on particular issues.
Two Perspectives on Bev Oda
With Bev Oda likely on the way out as Canadian Heritage Minister in a cabinet shuffle next week, the Globe and Toronto Star offer strikingly different perspectives on her performance.
Oda to be Shuffled Out of Heritage?
CTV reports that Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda will be shuffled out of the portfolio in a forthcoming cabinet shuffle. James Moore and Jason Kenney are rumoured replacements.