Federal NDP names shadow cabinet
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The NDP’s new shadow cabinet will be fronted by parliamentary veterans with leader Tom Mulcair handling the contentious energy portfolio.
All 44 New Democrat MPs have been given opposition critic responsibilities with a roughly 50-50 male-female ratio.
As energy critic, Mulcair will almost certainly be drawn into the debate over the proposed Energy East pipeline, which is not popular in his home province of Quebec. During the recent election campaign, Mulcair was accused of waffling on the issue, saying he generally supported the pipeline but wants a tougher federal pipeline review process.
Long-time MP David Christopherson, NDP deputy leader in the last Parliament, will serve as public safety critic as the new Liberal government overhauls the controversial Bill C-51 national security legislation, which the NDP vehemently opposes. Christopherson, a former Ontario minister of correctional services and solicitor-general, also will chair the party’s priorities and planning committee.
MP Alexandre Boulerice, touted as a future leadership contender within the NDP, will be Mulcair’s Quebec lieutenant and opposition critic on ethics.
Hélène Laverdière, from Quebec, becomes foreign affairs critic.
Nathan Cullen, the NDP’s former House Leader and 2012 leadership candidate, takes on the challenging environment portfolio. Cullen also will serve as the democratic reform critic with the aim of reforming the electoral system.
Randall Garrison, the former Official Opposition public safety critic who led much of the party’s charge against C-51, has moved to national defence and LGBT critic. Guy Caron gets finance. Charlie Angus becomes indigenous affairs critic.
“Our shadow cabinet is ready to get results for Canadians and ensure the new government fulfills its promises for change,” Mulcair said in a statement. “This is a strong NDP team that’s ready to move forward with hope and optimism.”
NDP SHADOW CABINET
SHADOW MINISTER | RIDING | SHADOW PORTFOLIO |
Mulcair, Thomas | Outremont | Leader, Intergovernmental Affairs, Energy |
Christopherson, David | Hamilton Centre | Chair – Priorities and Planning Committee, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness |
Angus, Charlie | Timmins–James Bay | Indigenous and Northern Affairs |
Ashton, Niki | Churchill-Keewatinook Aski | Jobs (Employment and Workforce Development) |
Aubin, Robert | Trois-Rivières | International Development and La Francophonie |
Benson, Sheri | Saskatoon West | Labour |
Blaikie, Daniel | Elmwood–Transcona | Treasury Board, Deputy Ethics |
Blaney, Rachel | North Island–Powell River | Multiculturalism, Deputy Infrastructure and Communities |
Boulerice, Alexandre | Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie | Quebec Lieutenant, Ethics, Deputy Democratic Reform |
Boutin-Sweet, Marjolaine | Hochelaga | Whip, Housing |
Brosseau, Ruth Ellen | Berthier–Maskinongé | Agriculture and Agri-Food |
Cannings, Richard | South Okanagan–West Kootenay | Post-Secondary Education, Deputy Natural Resources |
Caron, Guy | Rimouski-Neigette–Témiscouata–Les Basques | Finance, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Deputy Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard |
Choquette, François | Drummond | Official Languages |
Cullen, Nathan | Skeena-Bulkley Valley | Environment and Climate Change, Democratic Reform |
Davies, Don | Vancouver Kingsway | Health |
Donnelly, Fin | Port Moody–Coquitlam | Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard |
Dubé, Matthew | Beloeil–Chambly | Infrastructure and Communities, Deputy House Leader |
Duncan, Linda | Edmonton Strathcona | Transport |
Dusseault, Pierre-Luc | Sherbrooke | National Revenue |
Duvall, Scott | Hamilton Mountain | Pensions, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario |
Garrison, Randall | Esquimalt–Saanich–Sooke | National Defence, LGBTQ Issues |
Hardcastle, Cheryl | Windsor–Tecumseh | Sport and Persons with Disabilities |
Hughes, Carol | Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing | Natural Resources, Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario |
Johns, Gord | Courtenay–Alberni | Small Business and Tourism |
Jolibois, Georgina | Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River | Western Economic Diversification Canada, Deputy Indigenous and Northern Affairs |
Julian, Peter | New Westminster–Burnaby | House Leader |
Kwan, Jenny | Vancouver East | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship |
Laverdière, Hélène | Laurier–Sainte-Marie | Foreign Affairs |
MacGregor, Alistair | Cowichan–Malahat–Langford | Seniors, Deputy Heritage |
Malcolmson, Sheila | Nanaimo–Ladysmith | Status of Women |
Masse, Brian | Windsor West | Innovation, Science and Economic Development |
Mathyssen, Irene | London–Fanshawe | Veterans Affairs, Deputy Whip |
Moore, Christine | Abitibi–Témiscamingue | Rural Affairs, Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec |
Nantel, Pierre | Longueuil–Saint-Hubert | Canadian Heritage |
Quach, Anne Minh-Thu | Salaberry–Suroît | Youth |
Ramsey, Tracey | Essex | International Trade |
Rankin, Murray | Victoria | Justice and Attorney General |
Saganash, Romeo | Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou | Intergovernmental Indigenous Affairs, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency |
Sansoucy, Brigitte | Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot | Families, Children and Social Development, Deputy Health |
Stetski, Wayne | Kootenay–Columbia | National Parks |
Stewart, Kennedy | Burnaby South | Science |
Trudel, Karine | Jonquière | Canada Post, Deputy Labour |
Weir, Erin | Regina–Lewvan | Public Services and Procurement |
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