Atlantic MP gets Veterans Affairs

N.L. MP Seamus O’Regan takes over federal department, headquartered in Charlottetown

The chairman of political science department at UPEI says it’s a positive that an Atlantic Canadian MP is taking over Veterans Affairs.

But Peter McKenna also noted that St. John’s South Mount Pearl MP Seamus O’Regan has a “very difficult portfolio” ahead of him, especially in terms of dealing with issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and homelessness.

“There is a long, long laundry list of issues there for Veterans Affairs. And, all of them require substantial sums of money,” said McKenna.

“Since a disproportionate amount of the military is drawn from Atlantic Canada, it makes sense that someone from Atlantic Canada would get that portfolio.”

On Monday, six federal MPs got new jobs after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled cabinet.

O’Regan, a first-time cabinet minister, also assumes the role of associate minister of National Defence. He replaces Calgary Centre MP Kent Hehr, who moves from Veterans Affairs to become the minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.

The cabinet shuffle follows last week’s announcement by Newfoundland and Labrador (Bonavista-Burin-Trinity) MP Judy Foote that she was leaving federal politics. Charlottetown MP Sean Casey said he was pleased to see O’Regan take over Veterans Affairs, especially given the number of people employed in the department in Charlottetown.

“It’s going to be very good for Charlottetown. Being a Newfoundlander, he understands how very important those government jobs would be outside of Ottawa.”

Casey also noted that Foote’s departure gave the government an opportunity to reassess and make changes. But, he was “really sad to see her go.” Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay was not a part of Monday’s cabinet shuffle. He is staying on as minister of Agriculture and Agri-food. Other P.E.I. MPs — Wayne Easter, Robert Morrissey and Casey — were also not impacted by the cabinet shuffle.