Prime Minister Harper squelches suggestions of major cabinet shuffle

"I believe that most of our ministers are just beginning to hit their stride in their portfolios," Harper said at a news conference in Huntsville, Ont., on Thursday.

"I don't believe this would be the time for major changes to cabinet. . . . I see no need for a comprehensive overhaul now."

Harper did say he'll have to make a minor change "in due course" to deal with the resignation of his foreign affairs minister, Maxime Bernier. That came after Bernier left classified documents at the home of his former girlfriend, Julie Couillard.

Harper last shuffled his cabinet in August when, among other things, he moved Bernier from industry to the foreign affairs portfolio.

There had been speculation the prime minister might move his finance minister, Jim Flaherty, to industry, replacing him with Industry Minister Jim Prentice.