Liberal Leader assumes role as Intergovernmental Affairs Critic
Liberal Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff today announced a new, streamlined roster of critics that will see Bob Rae, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, assume the role of Foreign Affairs Critic and John McCallum (Markham–Unionville) become the Finance Critic. Reflecting the importance of positive relations with the provinces and territories, Mr. Ignatieff will take on the critic’s duties for Intergovernmental Affairs.
“This is a lean and focused line-up, with fewer critic roles and no associate roles,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “We will be a focused and disciplined Opposition with a single purpose: holding the Conservatives accountable.”
The new line-up re-calibrates some of the critic roles to reflect the Opposition’s focus on the economy:
• Marc Garneau (Westmount–Ville-Marie) steps into the combined portfolio of Industry, Science & Technology, recognizing that investment in science & technology will strengthen our industries and create the jobs of tomorrow.
• David McGuinty (Ottawa South) will act as Environment & Energy Critic, reflecting the need for clean energy solutions that will make Canada a leader in these industries while protecting our natural environment here at home.
• Scott Brison (Kings-Hants) becomes Critic for International Trade at a time when the global economic downturn heightens the need for Canada to deepen and diversify its trade relations. Mr. Brison also becomes the Chairman of the Leader’s Advisory Committee on Economic Strategy. He will continue to be a key spokesperson on economic issues.
• Martha Hall Findlay (Willowdale) becomes the Critic for Public Works and Government Services.
• Maria Minna (Beaches-East York) becomes Labour Critic as Anita Neville (Winnipeg South Centre) assumes critic responsibilities for the Status of Women.
• Pablo Rodriguez (Honoré-Mercier) will act as the Critic for Canadian Heritage & Official Languages, recognizing the importance of cultural industries not only as an economic driver, but also in strengthening our national unity.
• Sukh Dhaliwal (Newton — North Delta) becomes the Critic for Western Economic Development as well as the Asia-Pacific Gateway. Alexandra Mendès (Brossard – La Prairie) will be the Critic for Economic Development Agency for Regions of Quebec.
“This is an experienced and capable team,” Mr. Ignatieff added, noting that Dr. Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul’s) will remain as Health Critic and Mike Savage, (Dartmouth — Cole Harbour) will retain the portfolio for Human Resources and Skills Development. Denis Coderre (Bourassa) returns to the role of Defence Critic. Mr. Coderre will also serve as Mr. Ignatieff’s Quebec Lieutenant. Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour) becomes Critic for Justice and the Attorney-General.
As Mr. Ignatieff noted, “There is much work to be done both inside and outside of Parliament and every member of caucus will have a role to play in the outreach we need to do.” In this capacity, Ken Dryden will take on the new role of National Outreach Advisor, Working Families & Poverty, reflecting his long-standing commitments to these issues, and will also act as Special Liaison, National Fundraising.
A complete list of the new critic responsibilities is below.
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Liberal Opposition Critics
Michael Ignatieff – Intergovernmental Affairs
John McCallum – Finance
Bob Rae – Foreign Affairs
Denis Coderre – Defence and Quebec Lieutenant
David McGuinty – Environment & Energy
Carolyn Bennett – Health
Marc Garneau – Industry, Science & Technology
Mark Holland – Public Safety & National Security
Geoff Regan – Natural Resources
Dominic LeBlanc – Justice and Attorney-General
Scott Brison – International Trade
Martha Hall Findlay – Public Works and Government Services
Todd Russell – Indian Affairs
Larry Bagnell – Arctic Issues & Northern Development
Joe Volpe – Transport
Gerard Kennedy – Infrastructure, Communities and Cities
Maurizio Bevilacqua – Citizenship & Immigration
Judy Sgro – Veterans Affairs, Seniors & Pensions
Yasmin Ratansi – National Revenue
Gerry Byrne – Fisheries & Oceans
Jean-Claude D’Amours – Atlantic Gateway and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Pablo Rodriguez – Canadian Heritage & Official Languages
Maria Minna – Labour
Dan McTeague – Treasury Board, Consumer Affairs and Consular Affairs
Mike Savage – Human Resources & Skills Development
Anita Neville – Status of Women
Wayne Easter – Agriculture, Agri-food and Canadian Wheat Board
Sukh Dhaliwal – Asia-Pacific Gateway & Western Economic Development
Ruby Dhalla – Youth & Multiculturalism
Keith Martin – Amateur Sport, Health Promotion and the Vancouver Olympics
Alexandra Mendès – Economic Development Agency for Regions of Quebec
Glen Pearson – International Cooperation
Raymonde Folco – La Francophonie
Ken Dryden – National Outreach Advisor, Working Families & Poverty
Special Liason, National Fundraising
