New Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and North Okangan Shuswap MP Mel Arnold (File photo/Mel Arnold/Twitter)

By Liam Verster

Shadow Cabinet Appointees

Local MPs appointed to Conservative shadow cabinet

Oct 12, 2022 | 11:35 AM

The federal representatives for Vernon and Kelowna have been appointed to the Conservative shadow cabinet under new party leader Pierre Poilievre.

Mel Arnold, member of Parliament for North Okanagan-Shuswap, has been appointed Associate Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard (Recreational and West Coast).

“Canada’s fisheries, marine species and aquatic habitats are shared common resources that must be conserved for present and future generations, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve on this portfolio as I have since 2015,” Arnold said in a release to Vernon Matters.

“My experiences working in grassroots conservation organizations prior to being elected combined with experiences working on the fisheries and oceans portfolio over the past seven years have expanded my understanding of the needs and challenges facing Canada’s fisheries and oceans and I am excited to continue my work.”

Arnold stated there is “much to be improved in the federal government’s management of fisheries and oceans,” adding he will champion Canada’s fisheries, the people and communities that depend on them, and for stronger management of resources based on sound science, assessment and long-term vision.

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Meanwhile, Tracy Gray, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, has been named the Official Opposition shadow minister for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

“The Liberal government’s record spending has led to some of the highest inflation rates we’ve seen in a generation, meaning workers’ salaries are no longer keeping up to increases in the cost of living. We need intelligent policies which will solve these gaps, and not claw-back income-tested government benefits for those who wish to work more,” stated Gray in a separate release to Vernon Matters.

“This new role is vitally important to Kelowna-Lake Country and the Okanagan, where we continue to face a severe labour shortage, whether for our farms, tourism operators, manufacturers, or small businesses – this crisis is something I hear about every day, in every sector.”

Arnold previously served as the Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. He held that position from November 2019 through August 2020. Arnold has also been a member of the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Oceans since January of 2016.

Gray has served in the shadow cabinet since first being elected in 2019. She has served as the Shadow Minister for Export Promotion and International Trade, and most recently was the Shadow Minister for Interprovincial Trade.

Dan Albas, MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, did not receive a seat in Poilievre’s shadow cabinet, the first time he’s been left out in seven years.

“A member of my family was diagnosed with an illness and so I asked to be withdrawn from consideration for a role in the upcoming shadow cabinet,” Albas explained in his weekly column.

“This decision will allow for more time to be spent on issues unique to our riding and also more time for my family, as being in shadow cabinet is a serious time commitment.”

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Conservative Shadow Cabinet:

Shadow Minister for Digital Government – Ben Lobb
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Security – John Barlow
Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage – Rachel Thomas
Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations – Jamie Schmale
Shadow Minister for Finance and Middle Class Prosperity – Jasraj Singh Hallan
Shadow Minister for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion – Tracy Gray
Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change – Gérard Deltell
Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development – Michelle Ferreri
Shadow Minister for Federal Economic Development Agency for Eastern, Central and Southern Ontario – Lianne Rood
Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard – Clifford Small
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs – Hon. Michael Chong
Shadow Minister for Health – Dr. Stephen Ellis
Shadow Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion – Scott Aitchison
Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship – Tom Kmiec
Shadow Minister for Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – Eric Melillo
Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry – Rick Perkins
Shadow Minister for International Development – Garnett Genuis
Shadow Minister for International Trade – Kyle Seeback
Shadow Minister for Small Business Recovery and Growth – Brad Vis
Shadow Minister for Supply Chain Issues – Matt Jeneroux
Shadow Minister for Red Tape Reduction – Scot Davidson
Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Canada – Hon. Rob Moore
Shadow Minister for Civil Liberties – Marilyn Gladu
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention – Todd Doherty
Shadow Minister for Addictions – Laila Goodridge
Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency – Bob Zimmer
Shadow Minister for Prairie Economic Development (Advisor to the Leader, Economy) – Pat Kelly
Shadow Minister for Pacific Economic Development – Tako van Popta
Shadow Minister for Sport; Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec – Richard Martel
Shadow Minister for National Defence – James Bezan
Shadow Minister for National Revenue – Adam Chambers
Shadow Minister for Natural Resources – Shannon Stubbs
Shadow Minister for Official Languages – Joël Godin
Shadow Minister for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency – Jake Stewart
Shadow Minister for Public Safety – Raquel Dancho
Shadow Minister for Public Services and Procurement – Kelly Block
Shadow Minister for Emergency Preparedness – Dane Lloyd
Shadow Minister for Rural Economic Development and Connectivity – Dan Mazier
Shadow Minister for Seniors – Anna Roberts
Shadow Minister for Tourism – Tony Baldinelli
Shadow Minister for Transport – Mark Strahl
Shadow Minister for Treasury Board – Stephanie Kusie
Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs – Blake Richards
Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth – Karen Vecchio
Shadow Minister for Ethics and Accountable Government – Michael Barrett
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Communities – Dr. Leslyn Lewis
Shadow Minister for Labour – Chris Lewis
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services – Gary Vidal
Shadow Minister for Pan-Canadian Trade and Competition – Ryan Williams
Shadow Minister for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation – Blaine Calkins
Shadow Minister for Democratic Reform – Michael Cooper
Associate Shadow Minister for Finance and Middle Class Prosperity (Tax Reform) – Phil Lawrence
Associate Shadow Minister for Finance and Middle Class Prosperity (Affordable Government) – Marty Morantz
Associate Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard (Recreational and West Coast) – Mel Arnold
Associate Shadow Minister for National Defence (Recruitment and Retention) – Shelby Kramp-Neuman
Associate Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Nuclear) – Corey Tochor
Associate Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth – Dominique Vien
Associate Shadow Minister for Agriculture – Richard Lehoux
Associate Shadow Minister for Agriculture – Warren Steinley
Associate Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage – Kevin Waugh
Associate Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change – Robert Kitchen
Associate Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship – Brad Redekopp
Associate Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services – Larry Brock
Associate Shadow Minister for Labour – Rosemarie Falk
Associate Shadow Minister for Ethics and Accountable Government – Jacques Gourde
Associate Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs – Fraser Tolmie
Associate Shadow Minister for Transport – Dan Muys
Associate Shadow Minister for Public Safety – Doug Shipley
Associate Shadow Minister for Official Languages – Bernard Généreux
Associate Shadow Minister for International Trade (Advisor to the Leader, Canada/US Relations) – Randy Hoback
Associate Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General – Frank Caputo