New Canadian cabinet formed

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin named his first cabinet as an elected prime minister Tuesday.

Martin said in a release issued as the swearing-in ceremony that "We are determined to deliver tangible progress on those issues that matter most to Canadians and upon which we campaigned."

The prime minister had some room to maneuver with this cabinet because he lost six ministers in the June 28 election, which left the Liberals with only 135 seats and a minority government.

Ralph Goodale remains finance minister; Anne McLellan stays onas deputy prime minister and public safety minister.

Newcomer Ujjal Dosanjh takes over the crucial Health portfolio from Pierre Pettigrew, who moves to Foreign Affairs. Former Foreign Minister Bill Graham becomes national defense minister.

Ken Dryden takes on the Social Development portfolio from Liza Frulla, who moves to the Ministry of Canadian Heritage.

Stephane Dion is the Environment Minister; Jean Lapierre is Transport Minister; David Emerson becomes industry minister; John McCallum becomes minister of national revenue; Andy Mitchell takesover the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrifood; John Godfrey takesnew portfolio of cities; Scott Brison takes over Public Works; JimPeterson stays as International Trade Minister; Irwin Cotler staysas Justice Minister and Joe Volpe stays as Human Resources Minister.

Source: Xinhua