There's no way Harper didn't know that

Yesterday, Harper appointed Helena Guergis, an Ontario MP as the Parliamentary Secretary to former Liberal David Emerson.

Guergis sponsored a bill in the last parliament that would have banned switching parties without entering into a by-election. (A slight majority of Conservatives voted against the bill)

If Harper did this as some sort of practical joke, then good for him, but I can't see any other reason why she'd be Emerson's Parliamentary Secretary.

She's not from BC - so she wouldn't have a strong knowledge of the Pacific Gateway initiative or the Olympic bid, two of Emerson's key duties. And more importantly, if she's stuck to her principles, she clearly does not believe in Emerson's legitimacy as a cabinet minister.

Isn't that kind of bad? Having her as his Parliamentary Secretary when she's on record as opposed to the deal that brought her superior into cabinet?