Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will mostly rely on the same core of MPs to hold the government to account when the House of Commons reconvenes next week.
Poilievre unveiled his leadership team and “shadow cabinet” on May 21, indicating there has been no major changes. Only a few newly elected MPs have landed critics roles.
“Most Shadow Cabinet members will remain in their pre-election roles for this brief session, while newcomers learn the ropes and showcase their talents,” Poilievre said in a statement. He added shuffles would take place later to move new MPs into “key roles.”
Andrew Scheer, who was selected by caucus to serve as interim Opposition Leader while Poilievre works to regain a seat, remains as House leader. This role entails coordinating the day-to-day business in the Commons and negotiating with other parties.
The deputy leaders, Melissa Lantsman and Tim Uppal, have also remained in place. Lantsman has had a higher profile in the role in the past, with more interventions during question period and in House committee meetings.
The two Quebec MPs on the leadership team have also kept their roles, including Luc Berthold as deputy House leader and Pierre Paul-Hus as Quebec lieutenant.
Aside from the leadership team, Poilievre appointed 48 critics who will present the party’s position on specific issues. This means there are more opposition critics than there are ministers in the Liberal cabinet. Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed 28 ministers to his cabinet last week, supported by 10 secretaries of state.
Poilievre noted that critics, unlike ministers, do not receive additional taxpayer funds to fulfil their duties. He said the high number of critics is necessary to closely monitor government actions.
“Our bigger and better team will push for the government to boost Canadians’ buying power through lower taxes and less inflation, unleash resources to bring home paycheques and production, secure our streets by locking up criminals, get immigration under control and unite our people under our shared flag,” Poilievre said.
In appointing his new cabinet, Carney kept a core of ministers in senior positions who had served under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Poilievre also kept many critics in senior roles. This includes Jasraj Singh Hallan as finance critic, Michael Chong as foreign affairs critic, Larry Brock as justice critic, and James Bezan as defence critic.
One notable change is Frank Caputo replacing Raquel Dancho as public safety critic. Dancho will be replacing Rick Perkins on the industry file after he lost his re-election in Nova Scotia. Perkins was given a chair role on Poilievre’s new Economic Growth Council.
A number of critics have roles that do not match a specific ministerial role or portfolio, but have nonetheless played a key role in the party to drive certain issues. This includes Michael Barrett who returns as critic for ethics and accountable government, and Michael Cooper in charge of democratic reform.
There will also be new faces among the Conservative Party critics. Dan Albas, who briefly served as finance critic in 2022, returns under the transport file.
A small number of newly elected MPs will also have critics roles, including Ellis Ross. The former First Nations chief and former B.C. MLA has been appointed to the environment and climate change file. Another former chief, Billy Morin, will serve as critic on the indigenous services file.
New Tory MPs known for their advocacy around civil liberties and social issues did not make the cut, including former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, filmmaker Aaron Gunn, broadcaster Andrew Lawton, and Dr. Matt Strauss.
New MPs are being sworn-in and have been going through House of Commons orientation in recent days, with the new Parliament starting on May 26. This will be followed by the speech from the throne by King Charles III on May 27.
In the early days of the new Parliament, Tory MP Damien Kurek from Alberta is expected to officially step down to allow Poilievre to run in a byelection in his riding in order to regain a House seat. Carney previously said he would not delay calling the byelection.
