Bob Zimmer was not given a position in the Conservative Party’s new shadow cabinet, while Todd Doherty has a new position involving mental health.
Zimmer, MP for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, was previously the federal critic for Northern Affairs and the Northern Economic Development Agency following the 2019 election.
New leader Erin O’Toole has filled the Northern Affairs post with Eric Melillo of Kenora, Ont., and the Northern Economic Development Agency role with Greg McLean of Calgary.
Doherty, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, was the transport critic, but that post has been filled with Stephanie Kusie of Calgary Midnapore, Alberta.
He was, however, named Special Advisor to the Leader on Mental Health and Wellness.
“What an absolute honour,” said Doherty, in a news release.
“I’ve been a strong advocate of mental health awareness as a parliamentarian and in my previous careers. Our leader clearly recognizes the importance of mental health in Canada and I’m so pleased to be able to continue working in this file.”
Since being elected, Doherty has worked on advancing mental health issues, raising awareness and removing stigma.
During his first term as an MP, 2015-2019, Doherty’s Private Member’s Bill C-211 (respecting a federal framework on post-traumatic stress disorder) was passed unanimously.
The federal framework was released earlier this year and became the first of its kind in Canada and the world.
“As you know, I have been passionate about mental health issues and raising awareness,” says Doherty.
“I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to working alongside our new leader in this new capacity.”
Zimmer and Doherty both supported former national defence minister and attorney general Peter MacKay during the party's leadership race, who lost to O'Toole on the third and final ballot.
Conservative party members in the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies and Cariboo-Prince George ridings voted for political newcomer and Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis on the first two ballots, before electing O'Toole on the third.
Meanwhile, O'Toole named his predecessor Andrew Scheer as the party's infrastructure critic, and is keeping Ontario’s Pierre Poilievre as finance critic.
He has named Alberta's Michelle Rempel Garner as health critic, and Dan Albas of B.C. as environment critic.
The Conservatives have a national caucus meeting tomorrow (Sept. 9) and O'Toole says they'll soon present their own plan for economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- with files from Matt Preprost, Alaska Highway News, and The Canadian Press
