News
New Canadian minister announced
Diane Finley has been appointed Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, taking over from Monte Solberg
With a general election expected in Canada this year, Stephen Harper, the Conservative Prime Minister, decided to reshuffle his cabinet; Finley was moved from the Human Resources and Social Development portfolio, effectively swapping roles with Solberg in a move the former Citizenship and Immigration minister is believed to have sought.
Prior to her election, Finley held several senior positions in both the public and private sectors encompassing healthcare, transportation, agricultural equipment manufacturing, printing and publishing, and aviation. Beyond her work, Finley has been active with a number of organisations, including the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, The National Standards Committee of the Paramedic Association of Canada, the Aurora Club, the Canadian Strategic Leadership Forum, the Ambulance Service Alliance of Ontario, and the Ontario Government Health Policy Advisory Council.
Most recently, Finley has been working with the Thyroid Foundation of Canada to spread awareness of thyroid conditions and urge more Canadians to have their thyroid tested. The minister was diagnosed with Graves' Disease, a hyperthyroidism condition, in February 2006 - a condition which has led to her wearing tinted lenses at all times.
Finley was raised in Port Dover and Charlotteville, Ontario, and today resides in Simcoe, Ontario. Her riding is Haldimand-Norfolk, also in Ontario.
However, the reshuffle is not expected to result in any major rethink of the immigration system, especially with another election looming. As Christopher Willis, an immigration consultant with Willis, Brazolot & Co, explained as follows: "Monte Solberg wanted the Human Resources portfolio and Finley will 'babysit' the position until the election. After the election, I expect a new minister, whether it be Conservative or Liberal."
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06 February 2007