Yes, John Baird moving to environment was important. But, buried amongst the stories covering last week's cabinet shuffle, were a number of other changes - one in particular that may tell us much more about Stephen Harper's long term plans for his party, his government and the face he intends to present to voters when they go to the polls to choose their next government.

The replacement of Vic Toews as justice minister with Rob Nicholson is the most significant shift the prime minister has made since being elected toward assuring Canadians that his is a more moderate Conservative Party then opponents have tried to scare the electorate into believing.

Minister Toews, a well known social conservative, was prone to speculate about things like sending ten-year-olds to jail. His shepherding of what has been a more symbolic than substantive law and order agenda - think gun registry - has no doubt secured the right wing conservative base. But now it's time to get on with governing.

Minister Nicholson, a small town (Niagra Falls) Ontario lawyer, is a moderate with a reputation for reasonableness with all who have ever dealt with him. As the head of the justice department, he will be responsible for a majority of the moral issues that social conservatives hold dear. And there's nothing about the man that is the slightest bit scary.

Other changes of note are the failure to elevate Port Moody-Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam parliamentarian James Moore to cabinet. There is nothing known about this up-and-comer to suggest that a junior portfolio at least is beyond his abilities. And the government needs a face other then David Emerson's to represent it to Vancouver's seat rich Lower Mainland.

While Minister Emerson's sudden switch to the Conservatives does not appear to have tarnished his reputation in the business community, it continues to provoke a wide range of reactions on the "street," where election outcomes are determined. And it is still unclear if he will even seek re-election.

Prime Minister Harper would do well to find a way to elevate Mr. Moore to cabinet and give him a chance to find his legs and show his stuff prior to an election call.

One final comment needs to be directed toward the appointment of Jason Kenney as secretary of state for multiculturalism and Canadian identity. Mr. Kenney's entire political career seems to have been based on his success at being the loudest and most obnoxious person in the room - something that gets you noticed as the representative of an interest group or as an opposition MP.

This is not a skill, if we can call it that, that wears well on a government member or especially a cabinet minister - even if just a junior one. As the prime minister's parliamentary secretary he was on a short leash. Now that that leash has been let out a little, Prime Minister Harper may rue the day.

Bob Russell, a businessman and former civil servant, was chief of staff for the provincial Liberals in Alberta from 1986 to 1989. In 2004, he ran for the federal Liberal nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands.