Harper set to shuffle front bench as government positions for 2015 election

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is poised to shuffle his front bench Monday, setting in place the team that will carry the Conservative government into the 2015 election.

Ray Novack, Harper’s chief of staff, began phoning ministers and cabinet newcomers with their new assignments on Saturday night, with the formal appointments set to be announced Monday morning at Rideau Hall.

There is much talk of generational change as the Conservatives, now in power for more than seven years, seek to freshen up the front bench in an effort to take the bloom off Justin Trudeau’s reinvigorated Liberals and Tom Mulcair’s NDP.

But all eyes will be on key Conservative stalwarts, starting with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

A recent exodus of staff from Flaherty’s office has fuelled speculation he could be moving, however government insiders are saying the cabinet shuffle will emphasize stability and strong economic stewardship — indicating key economic portfolios may remain unchanged.

Others to watch will be Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, John Baird at foreign affairs and Treasury Board President Tony Clement.