On destinations

I'd planned to following up my review of possible NDP cabinet ministers with a more detailed look at the most likely positions, but Wheatsheaf has already thoroughly analyzed the possibilities and risks coming from most of the positions. That said, I'll take a minute to point out a couple of the more subtle issues which may fit into portfolios which the NDP could pursue.

I agree entirely that Industry should be a natural fit for an NDP seat at the table. But in addition to the obvious role in working with the NDP's manufacturing base, the position would provide an ideal opportunity to deal with Net neutrality and intellectual property, two issues which may not attract the mainstream attention they deserve but could have a substantial impact on how Canada's creative class is able to function.

Similarly, the NDP should be looking to ensure that one of its MPs picks up whatever portfolio includes the issue of democratic reform. Since the cabinet will be pared down that doesn't look to be kept as a stand-alone position - but it could relatively easily be packaged as part of a number of different roles (Citizenship and Immigration? Justice? Intergovernmental Affairs?). And with Layton already discussing how the coalition may serve as a first example of the type of government Canadians could expect under a PR system, it would be a huge plus to be able to build on that starting point with an NDP hand guiding the process.

On cabinetry (Part II)

With official word now out as to the terms of the coalition government, I'll note that I'm pleasantly surprised to see how the cabinet has been designed. When I wrote my earlier post on who the NDP should seek to place in cabinet, it was based on the assumption that the party would have only 6-8 spots total to work with - leaving a difficult choice between selecting those most experienced in a particular area and those with a chance to turn a current cabinet role into bright futures on the national scene. But with the NDP holding six parliamentary secretary positions as well, it'll have an obvious development ground for its younger MPs - meaning that the cabinet position can focus more on some of the caucus' senior members.

Which isn't to say that the allocation of responsibilities will be easy. But here's a rough rundown on the rest of the options.

After the three shoo-ins described earlier, I'd think that next in line would be Charlie Angus. About the only downside would be the likely position: Heritage would seem to be the obvious fit for the NDP's longtime critic, but the position has also proven to be a dangerous one at times...particularly when ministers have given in to the temptations of big media. (Remember Sarmite Bulte, anybody?)

Fortunately, Angus has taken a strong enough position against the dominance of corporate entertainment that I'd think we could count on avoiding that problem. And since he combines a strong enough reputation to get the job done from day one with plenty of potential to move up in the party in the future, he should be an ideal choice for the fourth slot in cabinet - even if he's somewhat less than assured of a spot.

The last possible candidate that I'll deal with individually is Olivia Chow. All indications are that she'd do a great job given a shot at a ministry related to immigration or social development. But particularly if Layton is going to be in cabinet, I'd think it would be a must to keep Chow on the ground in Toronto as often as possible to keep building the NDP's base there.

From there, the possibilities can be put into a few different categories. There are the stalwarts: Libby Davies and Judy Wasylycia-Leis might be slightly in front of the pack based on a combination of seniority and diversity of experience, but any of Dawn Black, David Christopherson, Joe Comartin, Jean Crowder, Yvon Godin, Brian Masse, or Peter Stoffer could be counted on to do a solid job in their areas of relative expertise - with the Libs' choices as to their own members likely determining whether any is needed to fill in geographic voids. And then there are the up-and-comers with enough caucus experience to hold their own in cabinet: Nathan Cullen might be at the head of the pack, but Paul Dewar, Peter Julian and Bill Siksay would have to at least be in the mix.

As for the parliamentary secretary positions, any of the up-and-comers listed above who don't make it into cabinet would seem to be first in line. But some new MPs would likely also be in the mix - and indeed the NDP will presumably be glad to highlight Niki Ashton, Don Davies and Megan Leslie if possible, though it may need to include at least one or two more experienced MPs in the mix as well.

Of course, the NDP's goals and strengths in designing its contribution will have to be balanced with those of the Libs as well. Which is why it's fortunate that the NDP has an abundance of talent to offer up for its positions - and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing who joins the first NDP contingent in the federal cabinet.

Shuffling the deck

A few notes on the Cons' cabinet shuffle:

- While John Baird will presumably hold up to questioning better than Rona Ambrose did in the Environment role, it's worth noting his own dubious record to date.

Baird's previous assignment likewise involved the Cons' signature piece of legislation for the year. But by the time the Accountability Act became law, it had been drained of many of the Cons' promises and had undergone major revisions to clean up serious drafting oversights...resulting in an awful lot of work for a very small increase in actual accountability. And while that kind of outcome may have been acceptable on a file where the Cons' main competitors genuinely preferred to see nothing done, it won't be good enough in an area where every other federal party has taken up the cause.

Moreover, it was Baird's stubborn refusal to acknowledge the realities of existing election law that exposed the Cons' convention fee scandal. And PMS surely can't relish the prospect of the Cons' similarly-flawed assumptions on the environment coming to light.

- With Wajid Khan apparently not crossing the floor (yet?), it's all the more odd that he wouldn't state any commitment to the Libs when asked about the possibility.

- But while floor-crossing may not be an issue this time out, PMS does seem to have managed to toss yet more cabinet responsibility into the Senate which he so decries - this time by making Marjory LeBreton the Secretary of State for Seniors (in addition to her previous role as Senate governent leader).

- Meanwhile, the streamlined Cabinet which Harper once boasted about seems to be expanding in a hurry with the addition of five new "secretaries of state".

- As for the ministers shuffled around within Cabinet, few of the changes appear likely to make much difference in substance. But it'll be worth keeping an eye out to see whether Rob Nicholson brings a less extreme stance to the Justice role than Vic Toews did - or whether he's simply seen as a more believable voice for the same reactionary policies.