MIDWESTERN ONTARIO – One of the region’s two Members of Parliament has retained his position in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s new shadow cabinet, while the other has been replaced.
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb will continue in his role as Official Opposition digital government critic, while Perth-Wellington MP John Nater was dropped as Canadian Heritage critic.
Nater, who has previously held critic posts covering rural economic development, interprovincial trade and middle-class prosperity and has also served as deputy house leader for the party, will be replaced in the post by Alberta MP Rachael Thomas, who represents Lethbridge.
Poilievre, who won the Conservative Party of Canada leadership on Sept. 13, announced his new “inflation-busting Conservative shadow cabinet,” in an Oct. 12 press release.
“I am proud to announce our hard-working and strong team that will take on Trudeau and his costly coalition and their plans to continue to cripple the Canadian economy and make life more costly for Canadians,” Poilievre stated, referencing a Liberal/NDP agreement to avoid triggering an election until 2025.
Poilievre also said his new team will focus on cost-of-living and inflation issues “so that young people can buy a home, families can afford nutritious food, and our seniors can retire with dignity.”
Poilievre, who expressed support at times for the “Freedom Convoy” that occupied downtown Ottawa earlier this year, has for months repeatedly stated he will fight to make Canada “the freest country on Earth.”
But his announcement states the country has already achieved that status.
“Together, we will ensure Canadians benefit from the fruits of their labour, so they can take back control of their lives here in Canada, the freest country on Earth,” he stated.
Wednesday’s announcement included 51 critic or “shadow minister” positions, up from 46 under previous Tory leader Erin O’Toole, and 20 “associate shadow ministers.”
O’Toole, who remains an MP, was not included in the shadow cabinet and has publicity indicated he asked not to be named to the group to avoid being “a distraction.”
Another former leader, Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer, was named Opposition house leader by Poilievre on Sept. 13.
– With files from Mike Wilson
