QUEBEC: PREMIER CHAREST ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUEBEC 000026

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR ETRD CA
SUBJECT: QUEBEC: PREMIER CHAREST ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET



1. With security breaches at Hydro Quebec installations
dominating the media and popular support for his government a
record low of 17 percent, embattled Quebec Premier Charest
announced a long awaited Cabinet reshuffle. Given the outcry
over security at Hydro Quebec, it is no surprise that both
energy minister Sam Hamad and public security minister Jacques
Chagnon were given the axe (although they were both on the outs
even before this latest energy scandal). The new minister for
Natural Resources and Wildlife, Pierre Corbeil, will handle two
portfolios of importance to us, energy and softwood lumber.
Michel Audet, who up to now was minister of Economic
Development, moves over to Finance and the young Claude Bechard
will fill in behind him. Yves Seguin, Quebec's most popular
liberal politician, is now out of Charest's cabinet, reportedly
because of frequent clashes with Charest over budget policy. In
a speech following today's announcement, Charest said the
objectives of the Quebec government are "the economy,
development, and innovation" with an emphasis on sustainable
development. Charest said the two big challenges for Quebec are
righting finances and demographics. The new cabinet of 27
ministers includes three beneficiaries of the Department's
International Visitors Program.


2. Following is the new Quebec cabinet line up, in order of
precedence, as announced by Premier Jean Charest on Friday,
February 18, 2005:

Jean Charest, Premier and Minister of Youth

Jacques Dupuis is new Deputy Premier and Minister of Public
Security; he remains Parliamentary Leader of Government

Monique Jerome-Forget stays on as President of Treasury Board

Michel Audet becomes new Finance Minister

Monique Gagnon- Tremblay, stays on as Minister of International
Relations and Francophonie, but is no longer Deputy Premier

Philippe Couillard, holds on to Health and Social Services
portfolio

Jean-Marc Fournier becomes Education Minister while keeping
Recreation and Sports (Fournier is a former IVP)

Yvon Marcoux, ex-Transport Minister becomes new Minister of
Justice

Claude Bechard is promoted to new ministry of Economic
Development, Innovation and Exports

Yvon Vallieres becomes Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food, taking over from Francine Gauthier. (He is our new point
man on BSE)

Thomas Mulcair takes on new Ministry of Sustainable Development
and Parks

Pierre Corbeil is new Minister Natural Resources and Wildlife,
replacing Sam Hamad (he will be taking on the softwood lumber
issue)

Michel Despres upgraded to Transport Minister, and new Minister
responsible for Quebec City region

Nathalie Normandeau (rising star and former Quebec City IVP)
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions

Line Beauchamp stays on as Minister of Culture and
Communications, new minister responsible for the Montreal region

Benoit Pelletier, in addition to his responsibilities of
Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs
becomes minister Responsible for Canadian Francophonie and
Electoral Reform

Pierre Reid, demoted from Education to Minister of Government
Services

Lawrence Bergman remains Minister of Revenue

Michelle Courchesne is now Minister of Employment and Social
Solidarity

Francoise Gauthier is Minister of Tourism, from previous
responsibilities at Agriculture

Carole Theberge, Minister of Family, Elderly and Status of Women

Laurent Lessard becomes Minister of Manpower

Lise Theriault (just returning from an IVP project) is Minister
of Immigration and Cultural Communities

Julie Boulet becomes Junior Minister of Transportation

Geoffrey Kelly is Minister responsible of Native Affairs

Henri-Francois Gautrin is new Minister responsible for On-Line
Government

Margaret F. Delisle is Minister of Protection of Youth and
Rehabilitation

Two other important, but non-ministerial positions are: Norman
MacMillan as new Liberal Party Whip and David Whissel, President
of Party Caucus.





FRIEDMAN