Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: While a shuffle means more to Ottawa insiders than to the average Canadian, the moves can signal shifts in the governments focus or its intention to reach out to a certain demographic, such as women or young voters, according to CTV. The moves give the prime minister an opportunity to put a fresh face on his cabinet mid-way to the next election, including mixing in some rising stars with veteran ministers, according to political commentator Scott Reid, former adviser to prime minister Paul Martin and Prime Minister Stephen Harper will set the team that will see his government through to the next election with a cabinet shuffle that is expected any day now. A number of veteran Conservatives have announced in recent weeks that they are either stepping down from their posts or do not intend to seek re-election in 2015, having been asked by the prime minister to declare their intentions as he decides to whom to assign key responsibilities. Minister of State for Finance Ted Menzies and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy have both said they will not run in the next election. Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield stepped down for health reasons. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews resignedfrom public life, and Sen. Marjory LeBreton stepped down from her role as government leader in the Upper Chamber. Environment Minister Peter Kent posted an intriguing message to his Facebook page, saying he would enthusiastically embrace a move to the backbench if that is where he finds himself, though he intends to run for re-election. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.