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Solberg suspends blog, gets to work |
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By Archie D'Cruz »
Prospective immigrants looking to get a glimpse into the new
immigration minister's thoughts have had their hopes dashed - Monte
Solberg has suspended his high-profile blog.
In a final entry dated February 7, and aptly titled The End, Solberg wrote he had come to realize that as citizenship and immigration minister, "blogging just might have to take a back seat to ministering."
While not touching on his portfolio, Solberg commented he was getting started in his new office at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, having imbibed an extra large coffee, stuck 20 or 30 Burnt Almonds (chocolates) into his desk, and settled down with "20 or 30 briefing books."
Solberg has previously served as Tory critic for Foreign Affairs, National Revenue, and Human Resources Development, but little is known of his views on immigration. His personal website has been taken down, with the exception of his blog.
However, it is expected he will follow the policy outlined during the election campaign by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former Conservative immigration critic Diane Ablonczy, a surprise omission from Harper's cabinet.
In an exclusive interview with this site during the election campaign, Ablonczy pledged to cut processing times, move on recognizing foreign credentials and hinted at a possible change in the points system.
Harper also pledged to halve the landing fee (right of permanent residence fee) by the first budget and cut it to $100 over the course of his term in office.
Related articles:
What does the future hold under Harper?
Tories outline immigration plans
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