MPs Fletcher, Toews appointed to federal cabinet

Manitoba gained a second federal cabinet minister on Thursday, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper added MP Steven Fletcher to his inner circle.

Fletcher, MP for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, was promoted in Thursday's cabinet shuffle to minister of state (democratic reform). He served as parliamentary secretary of health in the last Parliament.

Fletcher told CBC News his first work will be to reform the Senate, something he described as a long-standing issue. Change won't be easy, he admitted.

"The way our Constitution is constructed, it's extraordinarily difficult, but during the election the prime minister was very clear that the Senate will need to be reformed — and if it can't be reformed, it may be abolished."

Fletcher says he hasn't considered much in the way of electoral reform, but he's willing to listen if people have ideas.

"I'll listen to all the suggestions that come in and work with the prime minister and all Canadians to ensure that we get the best results for the people of Canada," he said.

"This is not some minor issue. It's fundamental to the way we govern ourselves, and you don't want to screw it up."

Manitoba's other cabinet minister is Provencher MP Vic Toews, who remains president of the Treasury Board.

The shuffle follows the Oct. 14 election in which the Conservatives won 143 of the 308 House of Commons seats. Harper expanded his cabinet to 38 members from 31, and now has 11 women in cabinet, up from seven previously.

The government will kick off the new session of Parliament with a throne speech on Nov. 19.