QUEBEC CITY - Premier Jean Charest has once again shuffled his cabinet, just months after his last rearrangement of ministers.

He says it's all about building a team that will achieve his goals for the Quebec economy.

The biggest change is the appointment of Pierre Corbeil as Agriculture Minister. The post was previously granted to Laurent Lessard following the death of Claude Bechard in September.

Meanwhile one well-known backbencher is returning to cabinet.

Geoff Kelley, MNA for the West Island riding of Jacques Cartier, is taking over as Native Affairs minister from Corbeil. He previously held the post from 2005 to 2007, and was Native Affairs critic from 1997 to 2005.

This gives him a second chance to solve problems with housing in Quebec's north, and gives him a key position as the government launches its northern development plan.

Pierre Moreau is no longer government whip. Instead he will be Intergovernmental Affairs minister.

Alain Paquet, who has been the Chair for the Committee on Public Finance, is becoming deputy minister for Financial Institutions.

He has been specifically tasked with making reforms to prevent another Norbourg or Earl Jones scheme.

The new whip is Lucie Charlebois.

"She has a big fan club, I'm a member," joked Charest.

Charest says he now has his team in place to grow the economy, while the opposition is looking to sow more discord and create uncertainty.

"Quebecers have noticed that the choice for the future of Quebec is very clear now, because Madame [Marois] is making it very clear," said Charest.

"She wants to present a referendum in the next mandate. It will either be a referendum or the economy."

The opposition says this shuffle shows Charest's desperation.

"It's an end of mandate," said PQ MNA Agnes Maltais "And it's probably very difficult to keep together his caucus. And he's giving candies to MNAs. But the population pays [for] these candies."

ADQ leader Gerard Deltell agreed, saying that in a time of austerity, it's inappropriate to expand the cabinet.

"Thousands of dollars for three new cabinet minister, for three new limousines, three new teams with the minister. It's the wrong signal that you send to the people," said Deltell.

On Wednesday, Charest also switched his chief of staff.

Marc Croteau, who held the post for a year, was replaced by Luc Bastien.