Erin O’Toole restores Poilievre to finance critic in retooled shadow cabinet
Global News
Erin O'Toole's shadow cabinet filled with familiar faces as the Conservative leader attempts to move beyond internal party politics to focus on governing Liberals.
Erin O’Toole retooled his front bench critic roles Tuesday, making some minor moves as the party prepares for the House of Commons’ return.
Conservative MPs told Global News that caucus was watching closely for what messages O’Toole sends in selecting his front bench and leadership team.
The loudest signal was the re-elevation of Pierre Poilievre, a polarizing MP with a significant following within the conservative movement, to the role of finance critic.
O’Toole had shuffled Poilievre out of the finance portfolio last February – a move that angered Poilievre’s boosters, including those who pushed him to run against O’Toole for the party leadership. At the time, a senior source close to O’Toole spun the move not as a demotion, but as moving an effective communicator to the important “jobs and industry” file.
Asked why he moved Poilievre back to finance after shuffling him out only months ago, O’Toole pointed out that the MP – who was first elected to the House of Commons at age 25 – has been one of the loudest voices warning about rising inflation.
“I’m putting a strong and principled voice to hold this government to account on inflation and our economic performance,” O’Toole said.
O’Toole also shuffled Michelle Rempel Garner – another high-profile MP – from the health portfolio to natural resources. Rempel Garner had been the party’s lead prosecutor on the government’s handling of COVID-19 health measures and vaccine procurement, but moves into an important role for her Calgary constituents.
Eric Duncan, an Ontario MP seen as a rising star within the Conservative movement, has been tasked with being O’Toole’s liaison with caucus – a less public-facing role, but a busy one, with MPs still grumbling after September’s election loss.
Tensions flared as CAQ leadership rivals clashed over Quebec’s “third link” project in the first debate to replace Premier François Legault.
Toronto police have charged a 60-year-old man with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Xian Wei Shao, whose remains were discovered in a north end home last week.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the government has found ways to cut spending by $60 billion but cautions that published spending cuts require important context.
Three Canadians from Quebec who were stranded in the Persian Gulf since Feb. 28 have returned home following a coordinated repatriation effort.
Federal departments announced that they plan to cut more than 12,000 jobs over three years as part of the Carney government’s spending review plan.
Canada’s Integrated Threat Assessment Centre says the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has heightened an already present threat against Jewish Canadians and public officials.
Edward Warner, his wife Tania and his seven-year-old step-daughter Ayla were coming back from a friend's baby shower on Saturday when they went through an ICE checkpoint in Sarita.
A fire chief from a village that battled flames during Saskatchewan's destructive wildfire season last year says the province's latest budget does not provide enough funding.
Manitoba’s upcoming budget will include more child care funding and a smaller deficit, as the NDP government aims to balance finances by 2027.
A member of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Winnipeg has just been crowned the World's Strongest Firefighter, outlifting athletes from around the world.
Muslims across Canada are celebrating Eid al-Fitr while some reflect on conflict affecting loved ones abroad, as leaders highlight unity, charity and renewal.
The Iran war has raised the price of crude oil beyond US$110 per barrel in international markets, spurring affordability concerns in Canada and around the world.
The statement from Global Affairs Canada comes a day after U.S. intelligence leaders unanimously testified that reports denying foreign involvement should be retracted.