Source : CBC News

Beverley Oda, the first Japanese Canadian elected to the House of Commons, has been named the new Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.

Oda, 61, represents the southern Ontario riding of Durham, which includes the communities of Clarington, Scugog and Uxbridge.

The Mississauga, Ont.-raised Oda began her political life after more than 25 years in private broadcasting. She retired from broadcasting in 1999.

A graduate of the University of Toronto, Oda intially worked as a teacher but in the 1970s switched career tracks to broadcasting, taking a position at TV Ontario.

In addition to working at Global Television and CTV, Oda helped launch Canada's First Multilingual Television station (CFMT), which is now Omni 1. A winner of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, Oda was also inducted into Canada's Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2003.

Oda was involved with the Progressive Conservative party and served as campaign manager for Ontario MPP John O'Toole during his successful 2003 campaign.

In January 2004, after the first meeting of the newly formed Conservative Party in her local riding,  Oda emerged as president of the Durham riding association. Soon after, she was encouraged to run as the Conservative candidate and eventually won a narrow victory over Liberal candidate Tim Lang.

During her first term, Oda was an outspoken Conservative culture critic, speaking up on many issues, including the lockout at the CBC.

The first meeting of the new Conservative cabinet is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST. According to earlier reports, Harper could recall the 39th Parliament within weeks and deliver a budget by the end of March.

© CBC News