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Delta-Richmond East MP lands backbench role in Harper cabinet re-shuffle

Eight new ministers, including four women and five MPs from British Columbia, make up the new federal cabinet announced Monday morning.

Eight new ministers, including four women and five MPs from British Columbia, make up the new federal cabinet announced Monday morning.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper used his Twitter account to reveal the new cabinet makeup, following weeks of speculation surrounding the anticipated major shuffle.

Kerry-Lynne Findlay, MP for Delta-Richmond East, was moved from Associate Minister of National Defence to Minister of National Revenue.

Richmond's Alice Wong remains Minister of State for Seniors.

Vancouver Island-North's John Duncan becomes the chief government whip, a minister of state position.

And Abbotsford MP Ed Fast retained his cabinet appointment as Minister of International Trade.

Harper naming Chris Alexander his new minister of citizenship and immigration as the prime minister welcomes eight new faces to the federal cabinet table. Other new additions, unveiled this morning via Harper's Twitter feed, include Shelly Glover, Michelle Rempel and Kellie Leitch.

Rona Ambrose, previously minister of public works, has been appointed minister of health, while Pierre Poilievre becomes minister of state for democratic reform. Julian Fantino becomes minister of veteran's affairs.

Greg Rickford becomes minister of state for science and technology; Bernard Valcourt has been re-appointed as aboriginal affairs minister, while John Baird remains in Foreign Affairs. Tony Clement remains president of Treasury Board.

The shuffle has been billed as the biggest since Harper took power in 2006, although a number of Conservative stalwarts, including Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, are believed to be staying put.

Jason Kenney, minister of citizenship and immigration who is to be replaced by Chris Alexander, has been named minister of employment and social development, a post previously held by Diane Finley.

Rob Nicholson and Peter MacKay are switching roles: Nicholson becomes defence minister, while MacKay takes over as justice minister and attorney general.

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