Shake-up suggests a substantive change.
This is more like a minor shuffle, a bit of a stir in cabinet as a few people around the table exchanges files, switch nameplates and scrape their chairs a bit on the floor changing places around the table.
It represents some tactical shifts but the cabinet remains remarkably the same despite the dismal performance of some of the ministers. Some of the most dismal even got promotions.
1. Biggest Feature: Moving Jerome Kennedy to finance from justice gives one of the heirs apparent to the Premier's job some experience in dealing with the full spread of government activities.
2. Old news to Bond readers: At the same time, moving a strong-willed minister into the portfolio at this point should make it clear that the provincial books are going to be tightened or, at the very least, any groups looking for government cash are going to have quite a racket on their hands.
"We are also shifting gears from a prosperous time to a more stringent time, for want of a better word," said Williams, whose government projected a $544-million surplus in the spring budget, based largely on high oil prices.
"It could be a tough period we're going to go through as well," Williams added.
Could be? More like "count on it".
3. No surprise: Kathy Dunderdale, fronting for the premier in natural resources adds the title "deputy premier" to her list of responsibilities. She's been acting in this capacity and the extra title is recognition of her ability to follow instructions or least be less than forthcoming with embarrassing facts.
4. Still one short: Susan Sullivan comes in. Charlene Johnson takes medical leave, with her portfolio now handled by another acting minister, on a go forward basis.
5. A promotion for what, exactly? Intergovernmental affairs should be a senior portfolio, handled by an experienced minister. The trend at both the federal and provincial levels lately has been to hand the job to second or third stringers.
In this case, it's Dave Denine whose time in municipal affairs was notorious for its embarrassing moments.
6. Structured to underperform: Tom Hedderson as new minister of fisheries likely ensures that Derek Butler and anyone else interested in fisheries renewal will be left SOL by the cabinet stir.
7. Stay the course: Ross Wiseman and Joan Burke keep their portfolios despite much speculation - even within Provincial Conservative circles - that they would be given a rest from their burdens.
8. Back to the sidelines: Having come back into the limelight through the innovation and fisheries portfolios, Trevor Taylor - once a high flier - heads off to look after snow removal. No one is going to intimidate Trevor about road work, but then again, political staff in the Premier's Office have that one under control anyway.
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