Since it appears we won’t get a major Cabinet shuffle before the next election, we’ll have to be content with the ever exciting Parliamentary Secretary shuffle. Gone is the timid voice of Marlene Jennings, while Jim Karygiannis ironically joins the ever growing cast Liberals working on democratic reform, showing that Paul Martin still has a sense of humour.

Prime Minister Paul Martin announced today the appointment of three new Parliamentary Secretaries to assist Ministers with their parliamentary duties.

Mr. Navdeep Bains (Mississauga – Brampton South) has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. Mr. Charles Hubbard (Miramichi) will assist the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre. Ms. Anita Neville (Winnipeg South Centre) has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, the Honourable Liza Frulla, with special emphasis on status of women.

In addition, two current Parliamentary Secretaries have been re-assigned. The Honourable Gurbax Malhi (Bramalea – Gore – Malton) will now support the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable John McCallum. The Honourable Jim Karygiannis (Scarborough – Agincourt) has been asked to support the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, the Honourable Belinda Stronach.

“Parliamentary Secretaries play an essential role in government, particularly in the minority context,” said the Prime Minister. “I am very pleased to welcome these colleagues to their new assignments and look forward to their contribution in support of the parliamentary process.”

The Prime Minister also expressed his thanks to the outgoing Parliamentary Secretaries, the Honourable Paul DeVillers and the Honourable Marlene Jennings, for the support and counsel that they have provided during their tenure.