Source : Cablecaster

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin has ushered in two new faces to take over portfolios affecting broadcasting, cable, and telecom, and they're both francophone women from Quebec.

First-time cabinet minister and Martin loyalist Hélène Scherrer was sworn in this morning as the new minister of Canadian heritage, taking over from Sheila Copps, who reverts to the back benches of the Liberal party after several years overseeing cultural policy, including the CRTC.

Lucienne Robillard remains in cabinet, moving to the crucial Industry portfolio from her previous post as president of Treasury Board. Former Industry Minister Allan Rock was named Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.

Neither of the new ministers had much to say on specific issues, saying they'll know more about their portfolios when they meet with representatives from their respective departments in the coming days.

"I think I received the best ministry because it involves promoting Canadian diversity," a beaming Scherrer told reporters in French outside of Rideau Hall, where Martin's cabinet was sworn in this morning.

When asked what she thinks about allowing more foreign investment in broadcasting, Scherrer said in English, "I'm going to see this afternoon everything that goes on in my ministry. I'm going to tell you next week."

Scherrer said that Canadian - and Quebec - culture deserves to be showcased domestically and on the world stage, but was short on details of how broadcasting policy would do that, having only found out yesterday that she would be in the cabinet in charge of heritage. "I'm going to work very hard. I'm very excited. I'm very eager to learn."

Representing a Quebec City riding, Scherrer described herself in French as "very, very federalistic" towards Canada, but also "very, very nationalistic" towards Quebec. "I wear Quebec in my heart but also Canada." Scherrer may have been rewarded by Martin for serving as co-chair of the Liberal party's national campaign for the next general election.

Meanwhile, Robillard said she is "very happy" to remain in cabinet. "It's a key ministry for Paul Martin," she said in French.

When asked how she feels about lifting restrictions on foreign investment in Canadian industry, she replied in English, "That's premature for me. Don't ask me to commit myself on something specific."

Robillard also said she is proud of her identity as a Quebecer and a Canadian.

There had been speculation that Martin would merge Heritage and Industry - a move many broadcasters opposed, fearing that cultural policy would be superceded by economic and technical interests.

In the Prime Minister's news release outlining his philosophy for new ministers and ministries, he does not mention anything about Canadian culture or communications. The ministers cut short the question and answer sessions with reporters before they could be asked about the new government's philosophy in those areas. It's not known how either minister feels about the possibility of bringing back Bill C-52 - which would have imposed stricter penalties for selling and buying illegal satellites - which died when the House prorogued last month.

Scherrer was first elected to the House of Commons in November 2000 and has served on two standing committees: on health, and on the environment and sustainable development. Her previous political experience includes serving as a city councillor in the Quebec City suburb of Sillery from 1990 to 1994.

Robillard, from Montreal, has been an MP since 1995 and has served in cabinet ever since, first as minister of labour, then as minister of citizenship and immigration, and most recently as president of the Treasury Board.

© Cablecaster Magazine