OTTAWA - The ascension of three female rookie MPs straight into senior cabinet posts adds a more feminine touch to a Conservative government assailed in the past for sidelining women.

Lisa Raitt at Natural Resources, Leona Aglukkaq at Health, and Gail Shea at Fisheries are among 11 women named to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's inner circle Thursday. That's up from seven in the previous cabinet.

"We are almost at critical mass in cabinet, which is significant," said Francoise Gagnon, executive director of Equal Voice, a non-partisan group that promotes women in politics.

"Critical mass is 33 per cent and we are at 29 per cent. But what matters today is that women have been appointed to positions of influence in the cabinet."

Harper took flak in his first minority mandate for a male-dominated leadership in which women played less visible roles. Marjory LeBreton, who remains in cabinet as government leader in the Senate, was one of few women considered to have much influence.

The prime minister made a point of putting a more feminine focus on his selections this time.
"Mr. Harper had a very strong pool of talent to pick from," said Donna Dasko, vice-chair of Equal Voice. "The experience and perspective that these women bring to the table can only benefit this cabinet."

More women ran in the last federal campaign than ever before. Of 387 female candidates for all parties, 69 were elected. Women in the House of Commons will account for 22.4 per cent of representation, up just slightly from 2006.

While Equal Voice hails that progress, it notes that Canada sits 46th in world rankings according to the number of women in national legislatures.

Other women with full cabinet portfolios are: Rona Ambrose at Labour, Diane Finley at Human Resources, Josee Verner at Intergovernmental Affairs, and Bev Oda at International Co-operation and Development.

Calgary MP Diane Ablonczy, a respected political veteran who once challenged Harper for the Canadian Alliance leadership, was passed over for promotion once again. She remains in the junior role of minister of state for small business and tourism.

Two other women got junior portfolios: Helena Guergis is minister of state (status of women) and Lynne Yelich is minister of state (Western Economic Diversification.)

Among other notable posts:

  • Embattled Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz hangs on to his job.
  • Gary Lunn drops from natural resources to become minister of state for sport.
  • Gordon O'Connor is demoted from revenue to minister of state and chief government whip.
  • Jason Kenney is promoted to immigration.
  • Stockwell Day moves to international trade from public safety.
  • Peter Van Loan takes over at public safety.
  • Rona Ambrose moves to labour from intergovernmental affairs.
  • Josee Verner moves to intergovernmental affairs from heritage.
  • James Moore takes over at heritage.
  • Diane Finley moves to human resources from immigration.
  • Jay Hill becomes government House leader.
  • Christian Paradis becomes public works minister.
  • Bev Oda holds on to international co-operation.
  • Chuck Strahl stays at Indian affairs.
  • Vic Toews remains as president of Treasury Board.
  • Rookie Toronto MP and veteran broadcaster Peter Kent becomes minister of state of foreign affairs (Americas.)