Immigration Minister Jason Kenney gets a lot of credit for the Conservative breakthrough in urban and suburban ridings. He’s been described as the architect of the Tory majority for his sustained effort to connect with Canada’s diverse ethnicities, prompting some to speculate that he’s now due for a promotion.
The Conservatives won their majority with a breakthrough in the Greater Toronto Area and its suburbs. Of the 18 seats they gained there, 14 are more than 45 percent immigrant.
Speaking to reporters via teleconference on Thursday, Kenney was the first to broach the subject when he raised the prospect of a new post indirectly during his opening comments.
“We made a commitment during the campaign to speed up reunification of family members, particularly parents and grandparents, so either I or my successor will be working closely with the department on that,” Kenney said.
In the inevitable speculation of how Prime Minister Stephen Harper will rework cabinet to take advantage of new talent and try to best represent various demographics, many wonder what is in store for a minister widely held to have done well in an important post.
“You know my survey showed that you have been one of, if not the most popular Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Minister to have served in this post,” said Gordon Fitzroy, a Toronto radio host, during a recent teleconference with Kenney.
“A lot of our callers are asking will you remain in this ministry? Do you want to remain in this ministry or are you open to take a bigger post as many, many people believe that you are so well deserving after your wonderful work in helping the party to its increase in the GTA?,” Fitzroy asked.
Kenney said he didn’t yet know where he’d be placed, adding that the decision rested with Harper.
“I will accept whatever assignment he gives me and I’m just eager to continue serving Canadians. Should I have the opportunity to continue in Citizenship and Immigration, I would relish it,” he said.
Among the initiatives Kenney said he wants to go ahead on is C-49, a controversial law to crack down on human smuggling that would see some people automatically detained for trying to enter the country by purchasing passage on a smuggling ship.
He said he also wanted to see completion on laws to crack down on crooked consultants and progress in recognizing the foreign credentials of new Canadians.
“We’ll wait and see. It’s not my call,” he said about a new post.
