Atlantic MP gets Veterans Affairs
N.L. MP Seamus O’Regan takes over federal department, headquartered in Charlottetown, after Monday’s cabinet shuffle in a move seen as positive on P.E.I.
The chairman of political science department at UPEI says it’s positive that an Atlantic Canadian MP is taking over Veterans Affairs.
But Peter McKenna also noted that St. John’s SouthMount 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 disproportion 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.
Other moves included Toronto-St. Paul’s MP Carolyn Bennett becoming the new minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
while Markham-Stouffville MP Jane Philpott becomes the minister of Indigenous Services.
McKenna said that having two ministers involved in Indigenous affairs is an important move by the government.
“I think it’s indicative of the importance Indigenous issues in Canada at the moment going forward after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report,” he said.
“So, I think it’s pretty substantive. We’ll see how it works out in terms of actual policy decisions and initiatives and programs and so on. But, at least it’s sending the right signal to the Indigenous community that it’s a priority of this government.”
Also new to cabinet is Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor. She takes over from Philpott to become the Minister of Health.
The cabinet shuffle follows last week’s announcement by Newfoundland and Labrador (Bonavista-Burin-Trinity) MP Judy Foote that she was leaving federal politics.
Delta MP Carla Qualtrough is moving from Sport and Persons with Disabilities to replace Foote as Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
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.”
“A huge voice for Newfoundland and a really steady person. And, just a wonderful colleague,” Casey said.
“But, when somebody goes, it creates opportunities for others.”
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.