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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Mulcair puts former rival in key job
New House leader urged co-operation with Liberals
PAWEL DWULIT / THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES New NDP House leader Nathan Cullen did well in debates. (CP)
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OTTAWA -- New Democratic Party Leader Thomas Mulcair announced Thursday the appointment of three deputy leaders and named B.C. MP Nathan Cullen, who surprised the political world with a strong third-place finish in last month's NDP leadership race, as his House leader.
Cullen's candidacy for the leadership wasn't taken seriously by pundits and media insiders when he first announced his intentions last autumn, but he built up a considerable following due to strong debate performances and his appeal for greater Liberal-NDP co-operation to defeat Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government. He even suggested the opposition parties field a single candidate in Tory-held ridings.
Mulcair's first caucus shuffle since winning the party's leadership last month involved a delicate balancing act, as he had to reward supporters, bring in leadership rivals and balance regional interests.
Moments after his victory, Mulcair named Libby Davies, the veteran Vancouver East MP, as his deputy leader, a position she held under the late NDP leader Jack Layton and interim leader Nycole Turmel.
The two new deputies are Halifax MP Megan Leslie, who remains environment critic, and Ontario MP Dave Christopherson. Leslie was neutral in the leadership race, Christopherson backed Mulcair and Davies supported second-place finisher Brian Topp.
Cullen, who was first elected in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding in 2004, replaces Ontario MP Joe Comartin as House leader.
"Nathan has shown a great capacity to involve people in the political process. His persuasiveness, his innovative thinking and his respect for others are his hallmarks," Mulcair said in a statement. "Nathan shone as a great debater and I am thrilled he agreed to serve as our House leader."
Turmel will retain a senior role as party whip. Quebec MP Francoise Boivin was promoted to justice critic, leadership candidate Paul Dewar kept his post as foreign affairs critic and fellow candidate Peggy Nash got her old job back as finance critic.
Alberta's only New Democrat MP, Linda Duncan, moved from aboriginal affairs to critic for the Public Works and Government Services Department.
B.C. MP Peter Julian, who filled in for Nash as finance critic, becomes responsible for energy and natural resources. Another B.C. MP, Jinny Sims, takes over as immigration critic and fellow British Columbian Don Davies moves from immigration to international trade.
Cullen placed third on the first ballot behind Mulcair, who had the strongest support among the party's MPs, and Topp, the choice of key party establishment figures and veteran organizers.
While Mulcair and the other candidates rejected Cullen's call for opposition parties to field a single candidate in Tory-held ridings, the new leader was faced with a dilemma on how to reward Cullen's populist campaign.
The challenge was heightened due to the prominent role already given to Davies, a prominent figure among the party's more left-leaning members.
-- Postmedia News
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 20, 2012 A17
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