Van Loan joins Harper's cabinet
By Bill Rea

Monday was a good day for York - Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan as he was appointed to Stephen Harper's cabinet.

Monday's scrambling on Parliament Hill might have caused confusion for many. But it put a big smile on the face of York - Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Michael Chong resigned because of his opposition to the Prime Minister Stephen Harper's motion regarding the recognition of the Quebecois as a nation within a united Canada. Harper had to find a new minister in a hurry, and Van Loan got the nod.

Van Loan, 43, is taking on all of Chong's cabinet duties, which included being Minister of Sport and President of the Queen's Privy Council.

"That's a big business card," he joked late Monday night. "I'm going to have to get extra large pockets to carry them."

Van Loan explained intergovernmental affairs as dealing with "everything to do with relationships between the federal government and the provinces."

He said he expects matters like the fiscal imbalance between the provinces is likely to come up soon, along with the national unity question, although he expressed the hope that Monday night's vote (which saw Harper's motion pass overwhelmingly) might cool things down on that score.

"My plan is to brief up and get on top of these issues as fast as possible," he said. "There's a bit of a learning curve. It's not too steep, but it's enough that I've got work to do."

In terms of the Sport portfolio, Van Loan said there are a couple of important matters that are likely to cross his desk, including Halifax's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games (York Region had made an unsuccessful effort to get Canada's application to host the games) and the 2010 Olympics, slated to be held in Whistler.

Van Loan confessed he wasn't sure exactly what his duties will be as Queen's Privy Council president. The role is largely ceremonial, with the council meeting on rare occasions, such as for the accession of a new Sovereign.

Because a federal cabinet minister is also a member of the Privy Council, Van Loan will be permitted to carry the title "Honourable" for the rest of his life.

Van Loan said he was asked to join the cabinet at about 3:30 p.m. Monday, shortly before Chong announced his resignation (Van Loan said he tried to talk him out of leaving).

"It was all so abrupt," he commented, adding he was surprised by the developments. "When I got up this morning, there was no expectation of anything like this." Van Loan admitted he

had been disappointed when he wasn't invited to the cabinet table earlier this year when Harper formed his government.

"All things come in time, and I'm very pleased and honoured to be asked now," he remarked.

He previously was Parliamentary Secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay, and he said

that job involved an "entirely different set of issues."

"I think (intergovernmental affairs) is a pretty good (portfolio) for anybody who cares about the country a great deal," he said, adding he's always been interested in the political side of politics. "And you have some sports thrown in for fun."