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Here are a few of the factors Prime Minister Stephen Harper must consider when cabinet-making

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'GEOGRAPHIC NECESSITY': Mr. Harper's election pitch emphasized the need for all regions to have a voice at the cabinet table – and now he must deliver. PETER PENASHUE: This aboriginal leader is the first Conservative MP elected in Newfoundland and Labrador since the Tories lost seats there in 2008. That makes it highly likely he'll be welcomed into a ministry.Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press/The Associated Press

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'GEOGRAPHIC NECESSITY' BERNARD VALCOURT: This bilingual Mulroney-era minister from New Brunswick is back in Ottawa 18 years after he was last defeated. Mr. Harper will have to consider giving him a portfolio.The Associated Press

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'YOUNG AND PROMISING': Mr. Harper must take care to nurture young new talent and that means bringing fresh blood into cabinet. JOHN WILLIAMSON: Elected in New Brunswick Southwest, Mr. Williamson is no stranger to Ottawa. He's a former director of communications for the prime minister, a former National Post editorialist and past national director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press

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'YOUNG AND PROMISING' CHRIS ALEXANDER: This former diplomat is whip smart with movie-star good looks and a polished speaking style. It would be hard for Mr. Harper to take a pass on his new Ajax-Pickering MP who defeated Liberal star Mark Holland.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail

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'YOUNG AND PROMISING' KELLIE LEITCH: A pediatric surgeon from the Ontario riding of Simcoe-Grey, she defeated Helena Guergis, who was estranged from the Tories after being dumped from cabinet.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

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'WILD CARDS AND GIANT KILLERS' MAXIME BERNIER: Dumped from cabinet in 2008 after leaving NATO documents at his girlfriend's house, this Quebec MP remains hugely popular. To rebuild Quebec support, Mr. Harper will have to seriously consider returning him to cabinet.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

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'WILD CARDS AND GIANT KILLERS' BEV ODA: This GTA MP had a bad run in late 2010 and early 2011 over cancelling an aid group's funding. Tories privately defend her as competent but a terrible communicator.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

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'WILD CARDS AND GIANT KILLERS' BERNARD TROTTIER: This bilingual Toronto business consultant defeated Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

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'WILD CARDS AND GIANT KILLERS' WAI YOUNG: This Vancouver South candidate defeated former B.C. premier and senior Liberal Ujjal Dosanjh, but a controversial endorsement and reports of family financial disputes could hurt her cabinet chances.Brett Beadle for The Globe and Mail

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'WILD CARDS AND GIANT KILLERS' MARK ADLER: The founder of the Economic Club of Canada defeated NHL legend and former Liberal cabinet minister Ken Dryden in York Centre.Deborah Baic/The Globe and Mail

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'ON THE RISE OR STAYING PUT': One of Mr. Harper's biggest challenges will be deciding where to redeploy star performers. JASON KENNEY: The Conservative Party's incredible breakthrough in the Greater Toronto Area – winning two-thirds of the region's seats – reflects in part the work Immigration Minister Jason Kenney did in courting the votes of recently arrived Canadians.Chris Wattie/Reuters

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'ON THE RISE OR STAYING PUT' JOHN BAIRD: This Ottawa MP is the Tories' Mr. Fix-It, a veteran of Ontario and federal politics whom Mr. Harper likes to assign to trouble spots. He's previously doused political fires at Environment Canada and cracked the whip to expedite stimulus projects.Pawel Dwulit/The Canadian Press

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'ON THE RISE OR STAYING PUT' JIM FLAHERTY: The campaign message from Mr. Harper was that Canada's economic recovery is still unfolding and care should be taken not to jeopardize it. It would make sense if the Tories avoid switching Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to another portfolio for now.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

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'GENDER BALANCE': Mr. Harper's most recent cabinet of 38 ministers included 10 women. This election increased the number of women in the Conservative caucus and might put pressure on Mr. Harper to boost the gender balance in cabinet. SHELLY GLOVER: One of the experienced female Tory MPs that Mr. Harper could look to to increase the number of women in the cabinet.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

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'GENDER BALANCE' EVE ADAMS: The new Mississauga-Brampton South Tory MP and a former Mississauga councillor. Senior Tories mention her as a possibility and former colleagues on Mississauga's council call her extremely tenacious.John Goldstein

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