The Vancouver Sun reports in its Monday edition former cabinet minister Jim Prentice has joined Canadian Pacific Railway's board of directors. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Sun quotes CP as saying the appointment is effective as of Friday. During his time in government, Mr. Prentice was in charge of the Environment, Industry and Indian Affairs and Northern Development portfolios. He is currently senior executive vice-president and vice-chairman at the CIBC and serves on the boards of Bell Canada and Coril Holdings Ltd. "I am proud to be part of this great Canadian company," said Prentice in a release. Just over a year ago, a bruising proxy fight with the railway's largest shareholder culminated in the departure of Canadian Pacific's then-chief executive officer, Fred Green, along with several board members. Pershing Square Capital Management, led by Bill Ackman, campaigned to replace Green with Hunter Harrison, the retired chief executive officer of CP rival Canadian National Railway. Since taking the helm of CP last summer, Mr. Harrison has implemented a number of cost-cutting measures, including staff reductions and moving the company's headquarters out of downtown Calgary.