Why immigration and jobs were the most important changes in the cabinet shuffle – The Globe and Mail

Lots of media comment on the Cabinet shuffle. Some initial points of note from where I sit:

• The focus at CIC will largely be on implementation, given the remarkable breadth and depth of Minister Kenney’ legislative, policy, program and service resetting;
• As a result, Minister Alexander will likely find himself dealing more with implementation issues, some foreseen, some not foreseen, given that the impact of policy changes take time to show themselves (e.g., the temporary foreign workers file and perverse incentives to companies for outsourcing);
• While the pillars of citizenship renewal are sound (more rigorous study guide, test, language and residency requirements), poor implementation has resulted in a 37 percent drop in new Canadian citizens in 2012. While the influx of new money in Budget 2013 should improve things, it does signify a systemic and ongoing issue regarding program management that will require Ministerial involvement.
• One gap in CIC policy renewal remains citizenship legislation, given the act dates from 1977 and has long needed a major revamp and modernization. A mini-package fell on the order paper in 2011 and it will be interesting to see whether something more ambitious emerges this fall under the Speech from the Throne.
• Multiculturalism continues its decline given the nature of CIC’s structure and centre of gravity. It will be interesting over time to see if some of Ministerial language shifts somewhat, given that some clearly had a very personal stamp by Minister Kenney.
• While the article below suggests the all important ethnic community outreach file will be Minister Alexander’s, subsequent articles suggest that it will remain with Minister ‘Curry in a Hurry’ Kenney,

Why immigration and jobs were the most important changes in the cabinet shuffle – The Globe and Mail.