NDP Leader Avi Lewis Announces New Critic and House Leadership Roles

OTTAWA – With the House of Commons set to reconvene next week, NDP leader Avi Lewis has announced new critic portfolios and house officers for the NDP Caucus.

“At a time when the Liberal government is courting Wall Street banks, private equity firms, and opening the door to more privatization, New Democrats are focused on a different vision for Canada,” said Lewis. “We’re standing with workers and fighting for good jobs, strong public services and an economy that puts people before profits. You can’t save Canada by selling it off.”

As a result of an unprecedented referendum taking place in Alberta this fall, Edmonton Strathcona MP Heather McPherson is stepping away from her role as House Leader to focus on campaigning for unity. Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies will assume the role in addition to his duties as Parliamentary Leader, while Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan will take over from MP Davies as Whip.

“As Alberta’s only progressive Member of Parliament, I have a unique role to play at this important moment,” said McPherson. “Between now and October 19, my focus will be on making the strongest possible case for Alberta’s future within a united Canada and ensuring Albertans have the facts they need to make an informed choice on every question being put to them in this unnecessary and ill-advised referendum.”

• Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) becomes NDP House Leader.
• Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) becomes NDP Whip.
• Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) adds Climate Change to her critic responsibilities.
• Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) adds Prairies Economic Development to her critic responsibilities.
• Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni) adds People with Disabilities to his critic responsibilities.

The changes build on the NDP caucus’s commitment to putting working people first, defending Canada’s economic independence and delivering real solutions to the affordability crisis facing Canadians.

A full list of critic portfolios and caucus roles is available at ndp.ca/team.