Layton unveils shadow economic development team, deputy critics

OTTAWA – Official Opposition Leader Jack Layton announced his shadow economic development team that will pressure the Conservative government to create jobs and invest in regional economic development. Layton also appointed deputy and associate critics to key roles.

“Our regional economic development team will hold the government to account for its job creation strategies,” said Layton. “In too many regions, the economic recovery has still not arrived. Our team represents Canada from coast to coast to coast and will hold the government’s feet to the fire and make sure no region is left behind.”

New Democrats’ Regional Economic Development team includes: Claude Gravelle (FedNor), Dennis Bevington (Northern Economic Development Agency), Brian Masse (Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), Guy Caron (Economic Development agency for regions of Québec), Kennedy Stewart (Western Economic Diversification), Randall Garrison (Asia-Pacific Gateway) and Robert Chisholm (ACOA and the Atlantic Gateway).

Layton also appointed a number of MPs to Associate Critic roles in key areas, as well as assigning Deputy Critic roles to new MPs.

Bruce Hyer was appointed Associate Environment Critic for Biodiversity and National Parks, Jinny Sims as Associate Critic for Consular Affairs, Nathan Cullen as Associate Natural Resources Critic for Western Canada and Brian Masse as Associate Critic for the U.S.–Canada Border and High Speed Rail.

Tarik Brahmi was appointed Deputy Critic for Consumer Protection, Phil Toone Deputy Critic for Fisheries, Mathieu Ravignat Deputy Critic for International Trade and Jonathan Genest-Jourdain Deputy Critic for Aboriginal Affairs.

“This is an amazing and diverse group of MPs ready to bring experience and new energy to the House of Commons,” said Layton. “We’ll make sure the concerns of Canadian families are front and centre in this new Parliament.”

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Dennis Bevington
Associate Critic for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development: The North Nathan Cullen
Associate Critic for Western Canada Natural Resources Bruce Hyer
Associate Critic for Biodiversity & Parks Brian Masse
Associate Critic for High Speed Rail & U.S.–Canada Border Jinny Sims
Associate Critic for Consular Affairs Deputy CriticsNew Democrat MPMinistry/Area Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe
Seniors Tarik Brahmi
Consumer Protection Andrew Cash
Housing Sylvain Chicoine
Public Safety Anne-Marie Day
Human Resources and Skills Development Matthew Dubé
Post-secondary Education Jonathan Genest-Jourdain
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Alain Giguère
Pensions Sadia Groguhé
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Dan Harris
Science and Technology Bruce Hyer
Small Business and Tourism Mathew Kellway
Military Procurement Pierre Dionne Labelle
CRTC, Copyright and Digital Issues Alexandrine Latendresse
Democratic Reform Hélène Laverdière
Foreign Affairs Lauren Liu
Environment Jamie Nicholls
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Annick Papillon
Veterans Affairs Anne Minh-Thu Quach
Health Mathieu Ravignat
International Trade Jean Rousseau
Agriculture and Agri-Food Mike Sullivan
Persons with Disabilities Phil Toone
Fisheries and Oceans