Finance Minister Jim Flaherty speaks at a press conference for the announcement of a First-Time Donor's tax credit at Lutherwood Children's Mental Health Centre in Waterloo Ont., Monday, May 27, 2013.Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press
With a cabinet shuffle looming, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is putting out the word that he has no intention of leaving right now.
But the Whitby MP, who's been suffering from a skin disorder, is staying mum on whether he'll run again for the Conservatives in 2015.
Mr. Flaherty is trying to dispel questions right now about whether he's willing to step aside when Stephen Harper rearranges his cabinet.
"He's feeling better and he's invigorated and he's looking to advance the economic portfolio over the coming months and years ahead," Mr. Flaherty's director of communications Dan Miles said.
"He's ... crystal clear he has no intention of leaving."
Mr. Flaherty has served as federal Finance Minister since February 2006 – as long as the Harper government's been in power.
The prime minister signalled in the summer of 2012 that he would enact a major cabinet shuffle in mid-2013 and asked ministers to inform him whether they plan to stay on past the next election.
There's been speculation before now that Mr. Flaherty might call it quits. Replacing him in cabinet would require a bigger and more complicated shuffling of cabinet posts.
Mr. Flaherty has only committed to staying on until the federal budget is balanced, which the Conservatives have forecast will be in 2015.
The finance minster disclosed in January that he's afflicted with a rare skin disease that requires strong steroid treatment. It's made his face bloated and puffy and contributed to weight gain.
He was reluctant to speak about his health, but took the step to assure Canadians that neither the disorder, bullous pemphigoid, nor the medication undermines his ability to do his job as federal treasurer.
Pemphigoid is a rare blistering skin disorder that can produce lesions on parts of the body.
The finance minister is being treated with prednisone, a strong steroid. He said the prednisone has led to side effects that include facial swelling, bloating, puffiness, difficulty sleeping and significant weight gain. In January, Mr. Flaherty described himself as a "classic case" in this regard.
Steven Chase