OTTAWA - The departure of Rona Ambrose from the environment portfolio leaves the Conservative cabinet vulnerable to charges of weak female representation.
Although the total number of women ministers has increased to seven from six, none of the current group hold prominent positions.
"If the prime minister were trying to reach out to women voters in the next election, this cabinet won't do it for him,'' said Rosemary Speirs, past president of Equal Voice, a national advocacy group for women in politics.
Speirs noted that the Conservatives attracted less support from women than men in the last election, and elected fewer women than other parties.
On her arrival in cabinet, Ambrose was hailed as a potential match to high-profile women of past governments, such as Liberals Anne McLellan and Sheila Copps, or Conservatives Deb Grey and Barbara McDougall.
But those hopes have been dashed with her demotion to intergovernmental affairs.
The only female newcomer is Ontario MP Helena Guergis, junior minister for foreign affairs and international affairs.
Senate Government Leader Marjory LeBreton takes on some additional responsibility as secretary of state for seniors, while Diane Finley makes a lateral move to immigration from human resources.
Staying in their current posts are Heritage Minister Bev Oda, Revenue Minister Carol Skelton and International Co-operation Minister Josee Verner.
