By Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger unveiled a stay-the-course provincial cabinet Tuesday in a shuffle that consisted mostly of giving existing ministers new departments.

It was Selinger's first chance to put his stamp on the cabinet since winning the leadership of the NDP in mid-October, replacing Gary Doer.

Selinger did not remove any member of Doer's cabinet. Instead, he shuffled around a dozen ministers and promoted three backbenchers to the inner circle.

"This is a cabinet and a caucus of builders. We have a strong foundation of good government on which to build our future agenda," Selinger told dignitaries inside the legislature.

Selinger included his two leadership rivals in his new cabinet. He moved Andrew Swan to Justice from Competitiveness, Training and Trade and transferred Steve Ashton to Infrastructure and Transportation from Intergovernmental Affairs.

Another shift saw Rosann Wowchuk move from Agriculture to Finance, Selinger's former portfolio.

One of the few ministers staying put is Theresa Oswald in health.

The only move that could be perceived as a demotion saw Dave Chomiak transfer from Justice to Innovation, Energy and Mines. But Selinger said the change was not a slight.

"Dave was looking for a change. He did yeoman's work in the department ... and we wanted to bring a new face in in the form of Andrew Swan," Selinger said

Chomiak has come under fire from the Opposition due to Manitoba's notoriously high crime rate. But his transfer follows rumours that at 56, he is preparing to retire from politics before the next election in 2011.

Swan, a former lawyer 15 years younger than Chomiak, said he is up to the task.

"I practised law for 14 years and I know a lot of the judges and lawyers in the city," Swan said. "I also have a very good relationship with (Winnipeg police chief) Keith McCaskill, the police association and the RCMP."

The backbenchers moving to the inner circle include Bill Blaikie, a longtime member of Parliament who jumped to provincial politics last year. Also getting a promotion are Jennifer Howard and Flor Marcelino, who hold seats in Winnipeg.

The opposition criticized Selinger for expanding the cabinet. At 19 members, the inner circle is one seat larger than Doer's last cabinet.

"If you're a NDP member, this is great news, it means there's an extra budget for a cabinet minister," said Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen.

"But if you're a taxpayer ... it's bad news."