World IN BRIEF : CANADA : Cabinet Shuffle Adds 2 From Quebec
Aiming to weaken a separatist drive in Quebec, Prime Minister Jean Chretien named two Quebeckers to his Cabinet in the first ministerial shake-up of his term. Chretien changed 17 positions among 24 ministers, and the Cabinet now has six ministers from Quebec. Chretien has been widely criticized for not doing more to prevent a breakup of Canada. In October, federalists defeated a separatist referendum in Quebec by 50.6% to 49.4%. The separatists, who say their French-based culture is being swallowed up by English-speaking Canada, are expected to call another referendum within two years.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
