Candice Bergen appointed Conservative House leader
Former cabinet minister Candice Bergen has been appointed the Conservative Party's House leader, replacing Andrew Scheer, who recently stepped aside to pursue a leadership bid.
"I look forward to working with [Bergen] as Conservatives are the only party in the House of Commons to act as the taxpayers' watchdog, holding this Liberal government to account," interim leader Rona Ambrose said in a statement.
"She brings a wealth of parliamentary experience that will serve us well in the upcoming session of Parliament."
The Manitoba MP, who most recently served as the party's natural resources critic, had floated a leadership run of her own, but that now seems unlikely given her new appointment. (Candidates for leadership cannot serve in the party's shadow cabinet.)
Bergen is perhaps best known as the MP who helped shepherd the bill that killed the long-gun registry through the House of Commons during the last Parliament.
"Taking that bill through, changing the tone on it, it was a very difficult issue, and I was able to communicate it in a reasonable way and garner a lot of support around the country and even within other party caucus members," Bergen told CBC News last fall.
Bergen will square off against Liberal House leader Bardish Chagger — who was appointed this summer after a minor cabinet shuffle — and veteran NDP House leader Peter Julian.
Chagger is the first female government House leader in Canadian history, a job that is principally focused on ushering government legislation through the parliamentary process and drawing up a legislative calendar.
The Ontario MP replaced Dominic LeBlanc, who moved to become minister of fisheries and oceans, after a fractious winter sitting that resulted in a bumpy legislative ride for the new government.
Ambrose has also tapped defeated MP Rob Moore to serve as the party's critic for Atlantic Canada. The Conservatives were trounced in the region after the last election with the Liberal Party winning all 32 seats.
"Rob will assist us in standing up for Atlantic Canada as the Liberals continue to demonstrate that despite winning every seat and having four Liberal premiers, they are failing to represent Atlantic Canadians on the issues that matter," Ambrose said.
Ambrose also made the following changes to the shadow cabinet:
- Deputy House leader and question period co-ordinator: Chris Warkentin.
- Critic for natural resources: Mark Strahl.
- Critic for fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard: Todd Doherty.
- Critic for agriculture and agri-food: David Anderson.
- Critic for Atlantic Canada and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency: Rob Moore.
- Critic for Canada-U.S. relations: Randy Hoback.
Clarification : This story has been updated to clarify that Bardish Chagger is the first female government House leader. Other women have served as a House leader in opposition.(Sep 15, 2016 5:28 PM)
