Canada Names New Transport Minister

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Lisa Raitt, a conservative member of parliament, to be the country’s new minister of transportation.

Raitt had been minister of labor since 2010 and minister of natural resources before that. The change came as part of a major shuffling of Harper’s cabinet.

Denis Lebel, the previous transport minister, was also minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. He retained the latter position in the move.

“These changes to the ministry feature both younger members of parliament ready for new opportunities, and steady hands that will continue to deliver strong leadership in key portfolios,” Harper said in a statement.