Veteran Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Dick Harris and newcomer Prince George-Peace River MP Bob Zimmer didn't make Stephen Harper's cabinet in a shuffle Tuesday.
It's no surprise that Zimmer didn't make cabinet as a political neophyte, as he won political office for the first time, but Harris says he can't be disappointed because he's made it clear he doesn't want to be in cabinet.
Harris, who has been a federal MP for nearly 20 years, has been part of the ruling Conservatives since 2006.
Harris said he wants, instead, to focus on his work as a constituency MP, which he says has brought great benefits to the region. During the recent federal election campaign, Harris said the Conservative government had brought $1 billion in funding to Prince George alone since 2006, including for infrastructure, community funding and extensions of Employment Insurance for the troubled forest sector.
"To be considered for cabinet, you have to want to be considered. And I've always made it clear I've never had any intentions or ambitions to become a cabinet minister," said Harris.
"My focus has always been on my riding, and doing things for my constituents. Becoming a cabinet minister distracts from being a constituency MP," he said.
Three B.C. Conservatives are in cabinet as full-fledged ministers.
John Duncan (Vancouver Island North) is the minister of aboriginal affairs and northern development, while James Moore (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam) is the minister for Canadian heritage and officials languages. Ed Fast (Abbotsford) was promoted to International Trade, and has responsibility for the Asia Pacific Gateway.
Alice Wong (Richmond) was named a junior minister with responsibility for seniors.
Harris said the team will represent B.C. well, calling Fast's appointment to the international trade file and the Asia Pacific gateway an excellent choice.
Harris noted northern B.C. has direct access to the Asia Pacific region through the Port of Prince Rupert, and links in Prince George, including the expanded Prince George Airport. After his seventh election win earlier this month, Harris said one of his priorities was to to see the Prince George Airport reach its potential as a major air cargo hub.
REWARD DUE FOR TORY SUPPORT?
UNBC political scientist Jason Morris said that some constituents might have reason to be disappointed that the veteran MP Harris was not named to cabinet, although it was no surprise the neophyte Zimmer did not receive a posting.
"Northern B.C. has a long history of supporting Conservatives, and before that the Canadian Alliance and Reform. Surely many members of the party in these parts should scratching their heads and asking 'Should we be rewarded for that long-term support?'" said Morris.
Jay Hill, the long-serving MP for Prince George-Peace River who retired last year, was in cabinet as party whip, but the last time an MP from the Prince George region was a full-fledged cabinet minister was two decades ago. Progressive Conservative MP Frank Oberle was Forests Minister from 1990-1993.
Cabinet ministers, because they are part of the inner circle of government and are closer to the prime minister, are viewed as having more influence than backbenchers.
Morris noted that MPs can still be effective outside of cabinet as long as they are aggressive and proactive in bringing concerns to caucus and then up to cabinet.
The other MP in northern B.C. is Nathan Cullen, who won the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding for a third time, helping the NDP secure official opposition status.
