File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Federal Critics

Caputo in, Albas out of Poilievre’s shadow cabinet

Oct 12, 2022 | 9:58 AM

KAMLOOPS — Newly minted Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre has named his new shadow cabinet and Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Frank Caputo has made the cut.

Caputo, a former Crown prosecutor, will be the new associate critic for Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti. The primary critic is Rob Moore, a former cabinet minister in Stephen Harper-led Conservative governments.

Former leader Erin O’Toole had Caputo serving as critic for the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

Incoming leaders often reward supporters of their leadership bids to plum posts in cabinet or shadow cabinet. In this case, several high-profile MPs including Ed Fast and Michelle Rempel Garner who did not support Poilievre were left out of the stable of critics. Caputo supported Jean Charest for leadership but remains in a critic role.

Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas, who supported Poilievre’s leadership campaign, was left out of the shadow cabinet. He had previously served as the critic for finance.

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Albas issued this statement on his exclusion:

“Congratulations to all my colleagues on their shadow cabinet roles. I am especially excited to see so many British Columbians in shadow cabinet – it’s important that our voices are heard in Ottawa! I am very supportive of our Leader, Pierre Poilievre, and the direction he has chosen to take our party. I asked not to be considered for a role at this time as I have a family member dealing with an illness. I’m looking forward to assisting my colleagues as we work together to hold this Trudeau Liberal government to account.”

Other Interior MPs who received critic portfolios include Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Brad Vis (Small Business Recovery and Growth), North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold (Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard) and Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty (Mental Health and Suicide Prevention).