Cabinet shuffle delivers status quo for S&T

The Conservative government's July 15 Cabinet shuffle represents something of the status quo for science and technology with new faces at Industry Canada and some of the major science-based departments but little indication of a relaxation of the central control that has dominated the innovation agenda for the past several years.

The most high profile change is the junior minister of state for science and technology, with Kenora ON MP Greg Rickford replacing Dr Gary Goodyear. Rickford is a novice in S&T circles except perhaps his handling of the controversial decision to close the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in his riding. After praising expertise and the impact of the ELA when it received $1 million in economic stimulus funding in 2011, he joined the chorus of the Conservative caucus when the funding was cancelled the following year.

Perhaps as important is the change at Industry Canada, with James Moore moving into the minister's office to replace Christian Paradis, widely perceived as ineffectual with little interest or influence over issues such as the (never delivered) Digital Economy strategy and telecommunications strategy.

Moore previously held the high profile Canadian Heritage portfolio and rarely dealt with S&T related issues. One exception was his widely publicized criticism of the Museum of Science and Technology and its hosting of a travelling Sex: A Tell-all Exhibition aimed at educating youth.

The shuffle appears to have delivered demotions to both Goodyear and Paradis. Goodyear retains his position as minister of state for the expanded Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario but was not appointed to a new portfolio. Paradis' fall is even more spectacular, losing one of the government's most influential portfolios to be handed minister of International Development — a position subservient to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and senior minister John Baird.

At the science-based departments, Rona Ambrose takes over at Health, Leona Aglukkaq will head Environment Canada and Gail Shea becomes minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Those staying put are Gerry Ritz at Agriculture and Agri-Food and Joe Oliver at Natural Resources.

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