Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault has been named federal tourism minister and associate minister of finance.
© Provided by Edmonton Journal Randy Boissonnault speaks outside his campaign office Sept. 22, 2021. Boissonnault was named federal tourism minister and associate minister of finance at a ceremony in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Ashley Joannou
Boissonnault was sworn in Tuesday morning at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. He is one of nine first-time cabinet ministers to be given a portfolio by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The new cabinet for the minority government contains 38 ministers as well as Trudeau.
Boissonnault was first elected as a federal MP in 2015 before losing his seat in 2019 when the Liberals were shut out of Alberta. During his first time in office he was parliamentary secretary to the Canadian heritage minister and named special advisor to Trudeau on LGBTQ2 issues.
Boissonnault was one of two Liberal MPs elected in Alberta last month.
The last cabinet minister from Alberta was Amarjeet Sohi, who was the federal natural resources minister until he lost his seat in 2019. Sohi was sworn-in as the newest mayor of Edmonton on Tuesday.
UCP POLITICS OF RESENTMENT AND GRIEVANCE WHERE NONE EXISTS EXCEPT AT THE CALGARY PETROLEUM CLUB
Alberta government House Leader Jason Nixon said Tuesday that Boissonnault has a responsibility as the only cabinet minister from Alberta to make sure the province’s voice is heard. At the same time Nixon raised concerns about Trudeau’s decision to appoint long-time environmental activist Steven Guilbeault as Canada’s new environment and climate change minister.
“The very first thing I would do if I was (Boissonnault) is express some concern, frankly, about some of the decisions already made on the environment portfolio and spend a significant amount of my time making sure that I can update the new environment minister on what actually takes place inside Alberta, and the significant economic impact to this country of Alberta’s oil and gas industry,” Nixon said.
Guilbeault, a Quebec MP, co-founded Équiterre, the largest environmental organization in Quebec, has worked for Greenpeace and has been vocally opposed to pipelines.
On Tuesday Premier Jason Kenney called Guilbeault’s appointment “very problematic.”
“His own personal background and track record on these issues, suggests someone who is more an absolutist than a pragmatist when it comes to finding solutions. I hope that I’m wrong about that,” Kenney said.
“… I think given Mr. Guilbeault’s background it’s important for him to send a signal that he doesn’t see the Government of Canada as a special interest group to impose a radical agenda that would lead to mass unemployment.”
On Tuesday, NDP Opposition Leader Notley said she shares some of the concerns about Guilbeault’s historical positions, including on pipelines. She said if the government wants to stand up for Alberta, someone should be taking part in the international COP26 climate summit that begins next week.
“Big decisions are being taken. Alberta’s reputation is at stake. There are many arguments to make about the province, relationships need to be built. Instead, they’re hiding,” she said.
Kenney has said the government won’t be travelling except in cases that are “absolutely essential” while the province is still dealing with the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ajoannou@postmedia.com
twitter.com/ashleyjoannou
Boissonnault was sworn in Tuesday morning at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. He is one of nine first-time cabinet ministers to be given a portfolio by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The new cabinet for the minority government contains 38 ministers as well as Trudeau.
Boissonnault was first elected as a federal MP in 2015 before losing his seat in 2019 when the Liberals were shut out of Alberta. During his first time in office he was parliamentary secretary to the Canadian heritage minister and named special advisor to Trudeau on LGBTQ2 issues.
Boissonnault was one of two Liberal MPs elected in Alberta last month.
The last cabinet minister from Alberta was Amarjeet Sohi, who was the federal natural resources minister until he lost his seat in 2019. Sohi was sworn-in as the newest mayor of Edmonton on Tuesday.
UCP POLITICS OF RESENTMENT AND GRIEVANCE WHERE NONE EXISTS EXCEPT AT THE CALGARY PETROLEUM CLUB
Alberta government House Leader Jason Nixon said Tuesday that Boissonnault has a responsibility as the only cabinet minister from Alberta to make sure the province’s voice is heard. At the same time Nixon raised concerns about Trudeau’s decision to appoint long-time environmental activist Steven Guilbeault as Canada’s new environment and climate change minister.
“The very first thing I would do if I was (Boissonnault) is express some concern, frankly, about some of the decisions already made on the environment portfolio and spend a significant amount of my time making sure that I can update the new environment minister on what actually takes place inside Alberta, and the significant economic impact to this country of Alberta’s oil and gas industry,” Nixon said.
Guilbeault, a Quebec MP, co-founded Équiterre, the largest environmental organization in Quebec, has worked for Greenpeace and has been vocally opposed to pipelines.
On Tuesday Premier Jason Kenney called Guilbeault’s appointment “very problematic.”
“His own personal background and track record on these issues, suggests someone who is more an absolutist than a pragmatist when it comes to finding solutions. I hope that I’m wrong about that,” Kenney said.
“… I think given Mr. Guilbeault’s background it’s important for him to send a signal that he doesn’t see the Government of Canada as a special interest group to impose a radical agenda that would lead to mass unemployment.”
On Tuesday, NDP Opposition Leader Notley said she shares some of the concerns about Guilbeault’s historical positions, including on pipelines. She said if the government wants to stand up for Alberta, someone should be taking part in the international COP26 climate summit that begins next week.
“Big decisions are being taken. Alberta’s reputation is at stake. There are many arguments to make about the province, relationships need to be built. Instead, they’re hiding,” she said.
Kenney has said the government won’t be travelling except in cases that are “absolutely essential” while the province is still dealing with the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ajoannou@postmedia.com
twitter.com/ashleyjoannou
No comments:
Post a Comment