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| Harper puts women in top spots: Powers Re: "Harper should have reached out more
to put women in his Cabinet," (The Hill Times, p. 4 letters
to the editor). All parties need to do much better in inspiring talented women to run for office. However, I want to further explore Ms. Speirs¹ comments about Prime Minister Harper's female Cabinet ministers. Ms. Speirs says women in the Harper Cabinet don't hold "front-line" Cabinet posts. Well, certainly in the case of Rona Ambrose and Diane Finley that statement is dead wrong. Ms. Ambrose is the first Alberta woman to hold the Environment portfolio. The environment is a key policy area for all Canadians particularly more prominent now given the state of pollution in our cities. Ms. Ambrose has also served as one of the Conservative Party's top spokespersons and recruiters. She is a mentor to many young people in the organization. Diane Finley is now leading the rebuilt super-ministry of Human Resources. In that role she will oversee the implementation of Canadian daycare policy one of the Conservative government's five key priority areas. Incidentally, Ms. Finley was chosen by Conservative MPs and staffers in The Hill Times as one of the hardest working MPs in Parliament. She motivates people by her actions. Also Bev Oda, the first Japanese Canadian elected to Parliament, will be leading the charge at Canadian Heritage. Ms. Oda's appointment is inspired and reflects a commitment to reaching out to the changing diverse face that is Canada. Ms. Oda will be overseeing our cultural policy. Her portfolio is vital to the fabric of this country. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has put top-quality people in this Cabinet. Rona, Diane, Bev and all the other talented women in the Conservative Cabinet will have a positive impact on this country. Tim Powers -30- |