David Emerson, Trade minister in the Harper Cabinet

Canada's new Finance Minister is a former member of Ontario's Mike Harris government, but the biggest surprises in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new Cabinet are the representatives from Vancouver and Montreal.

Former Liberal Industry minister David Emerson quit the Liberal caucus on the eve of Cabinet's swearing-in and was named International Trade minister in the Harper government. Mr. Harper told reporters he had been impressed with Mr. Emerson's job in the Martin cabinet, and offered him a post in Cabinet where he could better speak for the residents of Vancouver. Mr. Emerson will also be responsible for the Vancouver Olympics.

When Belinda Stronach jumped from the Conservatives to the Liberals, many said she should resign and run in a by-election. But Mr. Harper said he sees no need for Mr. Emerson to do the same.

Montreal's Michael Fortier, who co-chaired the Conservative election campaign, was named minister of Public Works and Government Services. Mr. Fortier has been appointed to the Senate, but has agreed to resign and run in the next federal election. Mr. Harper says he still intends to proceed with naming elected senators, but defended the appointment as a way to provide the city of Montreal a voice in cabinet.

PWGSC administers government procurement policy and oversees the government's real estate portfolio. It was also the department that was at the centre of the sponsorship scandal.

Former Ontario treasurer Jim Flaherty has been named to the all-important Finance ministry. He is well known on Bay Street and that may have been enough to earn him the nod over long-time party finance critic Monte Solberg.

Ottawa will have two seats at the Cabinet table.

John Baird, another Harris Conservative, takes over the government purse strings as president of the Treasury Board. And Gordon O'Connor, a retired general, was named minister of National Defence.

Maxime Bernier, a Quebec MP first elected in January, is the new minister of Industry.

Gary Lunn, a veteran British Columbia MP, was named to head the Department of Natural Resources.

Cabinet ministers receive an additional $69,200 on top of their standard MP's salary of $144,300.

The new Cabinet contains just 27 members, including Mr. Harper. There are six women.

The position of deputy prime minister was scrapped.

Mr. Harper also re-aligned several government departments, in some cases rolling back changes made by the Martin Liberals. The Harper government has re-united the departments of foreign affairs and international trade and melded the former departments of Human Resources and Skills Development and Social Development Canada into a single department of Human Resources and Social Development.

The Transport ministry now also includes infrastructure and communities. In addition, the National Capital Commission and several Crown corporations such as Canada Post have been added to the portfolio.