Matt Burrows at The Straight notes Jim Prentice is receiving a lump of coal just in time for Christmas as two non governmental organizations lambaste Canada as an environmental laggard (PDF)

Ignoring the forgettable Ambrose, there are two important differences between Prentice and Baird that matter: Baird isn't a threat to Stephen Harper, Prentice is.

Baird was pushed to Environment because irascible bombast is Harper's modus operandi when he intends to do nothing but make it look like he's doing something. If you want self-righteous anger and bombast, but no results, Baird's your man.

Sadly for Mr. Prentice, he's an honourable person who leaves a strong impression that he actually wants to achieve something positive no matter what job has been handed him. That's not a recipe for success in Harper's harem where the cream is curdled and tossed out, not allowed to float to the top.

Prentice won't be allowed to succeed on this file in part by the shackles imposed by his boss, and in part because he is from, well, Alberta. In the process his reputation as a straight dealer will be cut down a number of notches.

Its a scenario just as Stephen Harper ordered.