OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff today announced the team of Opposition Critics that will lead the Liberal caucus in Parliament this fall.
“Our new line-up of Opposition Critics shows the strength of the Liberal team,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “We will work together to ensure the everyday priorities of Canadians are reflected in the issues we focus on in Parliament and in the policies we present to Canadians.
“I’m very pleased that Ralph Goodale has agreed to take on the role of Deputy Leader,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “I’m going to be calling on every ounce of his solid experience and wise judgment this fall.
“During the almost 40,000 kilometres I’ve travelled in the Liberal Express this summer, one thing we’ve heard loud and clear is that Canadians are demanding a political leader who is out there with them, meeting them face-to-face, listening to their concerns, talking about the kind of country we can build together. A total contrast to Stephen Harper’s ‘I make the rules’ approach,” said Mr. Ignatieff.
“As a result, I’m going to continue getting out there and meeting Canadians all through the fall in our ‘Open mike’ town hall meetings. That’s why I need Ralph’s steady hand in Ottawa working with our new House Leader David McGuinty, guiding our parliamentary team.”
“Stephen Harper’s priorities are prisons and fighter planes,” said Mr. Goodale. “Our priorities are the priorities of Canadian families – strong, sustainable public health care, post-secondary education and job prospects for their kids, helping them care for their loved ones, a secure retirement. That’s what Michael Ignatieff and the entire Liberal Team talked about all summer on the Liberal Express. That’s what we’ll be talking about all fall – inside Parliament and out.”
Today’s announcement also introduces new critic positions for Rural Affairs, Human Rights, and Water, and brings together a number of formerly separate roles into combined areas of expertise with Rodger Cuzner as Fisheries, Oceans & ACOA Critic and John McCallum taking on the role of Critic for Transport, Infrastructure & Communities.
The full roster of Critic and Parliamentary roles are as follows:
Parliamentary leadership:
Deputy Leader Ralph Goodale
House Leader David McGuinty
Deputy House Leader Judy Foote
Chief Opposition Whip Marcel Proulx
Deputy Opposition Whip Yasmin Ratansi
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Sen. James Cowan
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Sen. Claudette Tardif
Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate Sen. Jim Munson
Opposition Critics:
Aboriginal Affairs Todd Russell
Agriculture, Agri-food & Canadian Wheat Board Wayne Easter
Amateur Sport Joyce Murray
Arctic Issues & Northern Development Larry Bagnell
Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez
Consular Affairs, Consumer Affairs Dan McTeague
Crown Corporations Bonnie Crombie
Economic Development Agency for Regions of Quebec
and Associate Finance Critic Alexandra Mendes
Democratic Renewal Carolyn Bennett
Environment Gerard Kennedy
Finance Scott Brison
Fisheries, Oceans & Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency Rodger Cuzner
Foreign Affairs Bob Rae
La Francophonie Raymonde Folco
Health Ujjal Dosanjh
Human Resources & Skills Development Mike Savage
Human Rights Irwin Cotler
Industry, Science & Technology Marc Garneau
International Cooperation Glen Pearson
International Trade Martha Hall Findlay
Justice & Attorney-General Marlene Jennings
Labour Maria Minna
Multiculturalism Rob Oliphant
National Defence Dominic LeBlanc
National Revenue Jean-Claude D’Amours
Natural Resources Denis Coderre
Official Languages Mauril Belanger
Pacific Gateway and Western Economic Diversification Sukh Dhaliwal
Public Safety & National Security Mark Holland
Public Works & Government Services Geoff Regan
Rural Affairs Mark Eyking
Seniors and Pensions Judy Sgro
Small Business Navdeep Bains
Southern Ontario Development Agency Frank Valeriote
Status of Women Anita Neville
Transport, Infrastructure & Communities John McCallum
Treasury Board Siobhan Coady
Tourism Gerry Byrne
Veterans Affairs Kirsty Duncan
Water Francis Scarpaleggia
Youth and Immigration Justin Trudeau
Liberal