OTTAWA – Federal Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion today announced new critics on the opposition side of the House of Commons, which is to resume sitting next week.
In as Canadian Heritage critic is Mauril Belanger, who replaces former actress Tina Keeper, who was dropped from the shadow cabinet altogether.
Belanger, the MP for Ottawa-Vanier, previously served as Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister responsible for Democratic Reform and Associate Minister of National Defence. In May 2005, the Prime Minister asked him to assume additional duties as Minister for Internal Trade.
As for the other ministry (Industry) lording over the cable, radio, television and telecom sector, Scott Brison is the critic.
Brison has served as Vice-Chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, and as a member of the House of Commons Standing Committees on Industry, on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and on Government Operations and Estimates.
In December 2003, Mr. Brison was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with special emphasis on Canada-U.S. Relations. He has also served as a member of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group and as vice-president of the Canadian group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
