Quebec claims 5 federal cabinet ministers

Quebec political leaders say they're ready to work with the new federal cabinet, which includes five MPs from the province.

'We don't personalize our relationships. For us, it's a matter of pursuing the interests of Quebec and doing it in a spirit of co-operation.' — Quebec Premier Jean Charest

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has named Lawrence Cannon, Josée Verner, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Denis Lebel and Christian Paradis to his cabinet.

Cannon takes over the Foreign Affairs Ministry, with Verner moving from Heritage to Intergovernmental Affairs and Francophonie.

Blackburn has been named Minister of National Revenue, Lebel is Minister of Economic Development for Quebec, and Paradis stays on as Public Works Minister, in addition to being named Quebec lieutenant and minister responsible for Montreal.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest is willing to work honestly and openly with the members "as we always have," he said Thursday after question period at the national assembly.

"We don't personalize our relationships. For us, it's a matter of pursuing the interests of Quebec, and doing it in a spirit of co-operation."

Charest said he knew Lebel when the latter was mayor of Roberval and he has "a lot of respect for him."

There were some doubts Verner would get a cabinet position after the Conservatives lost a seat in the Quebec City region in the last election. Verner was harshly criticized during the federal campaign for staying mum on the politically sensitive issue of culture funding cuts.

Charest wouldn't comment on Verner's new post as Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, saying only, "The Prime Minister has the last word."

Quebec Opposition Leader Mario Dumont welcomed Verner's appointment, saying it will bring more recognition of Quebec's issues to Ottawa.

"As a Quebecer, I cannot say it is a bad thing, or bad news, to have someone from Quebec occupying that function," he said. "We'll see. It's appointments, so it's not results yet. It's appointments. But, as an appointment, we have to say it is good news."

Montreal minister a 'fast learner,' says mayor

The minister responsible for Montreal is an important post for the city, and Paradis has fewer ties to the island than his predecessor, Michael Fortier.

But Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay said he's confident Paradis is up to the task.

"I'm told he's a fast learner, I'm told that he likes Montreal, and I'm going to be talking to him," he said Thursday. "We will have a meeting, and we'll make sure that he understands the priorities of Montreal, and I'm offering him my full collaboration."

Montreal is intent on continuing to pressure Ottawa to revise the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government, in order to better "allocate financial resources," Tremblay said.

"We need to diversify our sources of revenue, and transport is important, namely public transit, and the federal government has a lot of assets in Montreal — the Old Port is a good example.

Harper's Quebec cabinet members include half of the MPs elected in the province.

Bernier is happy to serve constituents

Maxime Bernier was overlooked this time around. He was forced to resign as foreign affairs minister last May after it was revealed he left classified NATO briefing documents at his ex-girlfriend's house.

The Beauce MP said he's not bitter but "happy" to simply work for his constituents, something he wasn't always able to do as a minister.

Bernier says he is not surprised he was left out of the cabinet but doesn't know what motivated Harper to exclude him. He indicated he hasn't spoken to the prime minister since the election campaign.