Metro Vancouver MPs included in NDP shadow cabinet

Vancouver East MP Libby Davies is the new health critic for the Official Opposition, while Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies will be critic of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism.

Newly-elected Surrey North MP Jasbir Sandhu is the new public safety critic, while Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian was appointed national caucus chair and industry critic. New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly will take on the critic position for fisheries and oceans.

B.C. NDP MP Jean Crowder, who represents Nanaimo-Cowichan, is the critic for human resources and skill development.

According to a statement issued by Layton today, the shadow cabinet includes 40 percent women and 42 percent members of Parliament from Quebec, where the party won a record number of seats in the May 2 federal election.

The appointment of the official opposition critics follows Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s appointment of his new cabinet on May 18.

The Conservative cabinet includes Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam Conservative MP James Moore, who remains minister of Canadian heritage and official languages, and Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan as head of the re-named ministry Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

B.C. Conservative MPs Alice Wong and Edward Fast also received cabinet positions.